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Russell Wilson’s hurried deal with Steelers may say a lot about his intentions, and Pittsburgh’s


When the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson publicized their divorce last week, hypothesis ran wild on the place the growing older nine-time Professional Bowl quarterback would land.

The Las Vegas Raiders headlined a Yahoo Sports poll of quarterback brokers and league executives’ predictions.

However the only quarterback agent, who overachieved and ranked 3 lead assumptions, waited to say the Raiders till 3rd.

The agent slotted the Atlanta Falcons 2nd.

And the Pittsburgh Steelers, in what now seems prescient, ranked first.

“Obvious need and a playoff team,” the agent texted six days ahead of Wilson and the NFL tweeted obvious confirmations. “This is his best shot to start and have [a] competitive team.”

Wilson turns out to agree. As a result of by means of Sunday night time, kind of 16 hours ahead of the Steelers may just legally put up a offer to the league, Wilson tweeted a video.

Its caption: “Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers”

The NFL’s official Twitter account chimed in to its 35 million followers: “.@DangeRussWilson is a Steeler!!”

The wedding is ingenious, Wilson set to compete with 2022 first-round select Kenny Pickett and a most probably 3rd quarterback within the development (veteran journeyman Mason Rudolph ended the 2023 season starting for Pittsburgh, but is scheduled to hit free agency).

As interesting is the haste with which the Steelers moved to lock up Wilson. Sure, his $1.2 million veteran minimum salary is an attractive price tag. But Wilson has also found mixed reception in locker rooms and team offices, and his play declined enough to convince the Broncos (and mostly head coach Sean Payton) that $85 million in dead cap space is more palatable than calling upon the services the Broncos will be paying for.

So why agree to a deal so quickly?

It makes sense the Steelers would want to lock up a player they want (especially at Wilson’s bargain-bin price point) in order to plan the rest of their personnel moves and free agency strategy accordingly.

Wilson, though, had more reason to wait. With money as no object, why not guarantee his greatest chance to start? Some executives and agents believed Wilson would wait until after the NFL Draft to locate a team that needed him, especially in 2024. Find a team that didn’t get the quarterback they sought or a team who did but knows the kid needs time, league voices reasoned.

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Denver. Denver believed so strongly in Wilson that the Broncos gave him a five-year, $245 million extension before he played a game for them even though he had two years left on his deal. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Denver. Denver believed so strongly in Wilson that the Broncos gave him a five-year, $245 million extension before he played a game for them even though he had two years left on his deal. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Things didn’t go well for Russell Wilson in two seasons with the Broncos. He’ll get a fresh start in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

“Look for a team with a young and suspect QB,” an agent said.

“Wait for injury? Like all dust has to settle,” an executive added.

Then came another executive who set up a paradigm.

“In almost all cases, the sooner the better so he can get the system, reps, etc…” the executive said. “I’d feel decent that it’s done quickly, if starting.

“If he’s a backup, then all bets are off because there’s not the same amount of urgency.”

Which brings us to what the Steelers may have revealed Sunday night: We should expect Wilson to be in legitimate contention to start for Pittsburgh in 2024.

Expect him to start working with receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, and to start out finding out first-year coordinator (and previous Falcons head teacher) Arthur Smith’s scheme. Be expecting Wilson to have a significant probability to supplant Pickett, who finished 62% of move makes an attempt for two,070 yards, six touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 12 video games closing season. And be expecting Wilson to get actual snaps in offseason actions and coaching camp, sooner or later Rudolph returns to the development. (The Steelers appear to have higher leverage to deliver Rudolph again at a inexpensive worth now, if Rudolph desires to stick.)

Fail to remember the grievance of Wilson, who by means of the way in which ranked 8th in passer score and 9th in touchdowns regardless of Payton benching him in December. Fail to remember Steelers normal supervisor Omar Khan’s assertions on the NFL scouting mix closing year that he has “full faith in Kenny” amid “issues in the offense last year,” an on-camera quote that appeared to levy blame at teacher and playbook and assuage it from participant.

Best in a while did Khan deal up what may well be the truest a part of his commentary.

“We’ll have some strong competition there” at quarterback, he stated, “and we’ll see where it goes.”

It’s no longer crispy to examine one highway the Steelers quarterback festival may just very most probably progress. Ready on the finish, ahead of lengthy, is the coronation of Wilson.



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