Russell Wilson is an NFL Super Bowl winning QB and a possible future Hall of Famer.
He spent most of his career with the Seattle Seahawks and two years with the Denver Broncos.
Wilson is now headed to a new team as he becomes a free agent.
Gerry Dulac reported on Thursday, March 7 that Wilson was meeting with the Steelers.
Steelers are interested in signing Russell Wilson and are tentatively planning to meet with the former Broncos QB before start of free agency, per sources. Wilson has interest in joining Steelers. Story in PG forthcoming.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 7, 2024
On Friday, March 8, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported the Steelers and Wilson had a great meeting.
Below, we discuss Wilson’s impact on the Steelers and what it would mean for Kenny Pickett if the Steelers sign Wilson.
Russell Wilson’s Impact On The Steelers
Russell Wilson has had an excellent career when he was with the Seattle Seahawks.
However, the last two seasons with Denver have been dreadful for Wilson.
He missed the playoffs both years with the Broncos.
Wilson would still be an upgrade over Kenny Pickett, despite the decline in play over the last two years.
He is a proven winner and would fit the system well in Pittsburgh.
It may take some time for Wilson and Mike Tomlin to get along, as they are two different personalities but winning will cure any differences.
Both Tomlin and Wilson know how to win.
The Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016 but their chances of success in the playoffs increase with Wilson starting.
Wilson would not put the Steelers among Super Bowl favorites or even favorites in the division but it would increase their chances of success in the postseason.
Kenny Pickett’s Future With The Steelers
The Steelers meeting with Wilson alone will not sit well with Kenny Pickett.
Not only did the Steelers meet with Wilson but they benched Pickett in week 18 and the playoffs last season in favor of Mason Rudolph.
These are two major indications the Steelers are not sold on Pickett and are looking elsewhere at QB.
Despite reports from CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala that four members of the Steelers’ staff are “so charged” and “angered” by the Kenny Pickett chatter, meeting with Wilson and benching Pickett last year indicate the Steelers want to move on.
Our great NFL insider @AKinkhabwala said on @937thefan that she talked to 4 members of the Steelers staff at the combine who are "so charged" and "angered" by the Kenny Pickett chatter. Who are taking it very personally that fans and media want to dump him for another QB.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 6, 2024
Pickett’s numbers are disastrous.
He has thrown a TD pass on 1.8% of his passes in the NFL.
That is the lowest out of all 391 QBs with at least 500 pass attempts in NFL history.
#Steelers Kenny Pickett has thrown a TD on 1.8% of his passes in the NFL.
That's the lowest out of all 391 QBs with at least 500 attempts in NFL history.
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) February 27, 2024
He has not been the QB the Steelers hoped he would become.
Whether the Steelers do indeed sign Wilson or not, it seems like Pickett’s time with the Steelers is coming to an end.
Pickett may remain the starting QB if the Steelers do not bring in a new QB but his leash will be short and it is unlikely he will remain the starting QB after the 2024 season.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
