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When the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson made their divorce public last week, speculation ran rampant about where the aging nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback would land.
The Las Vegas Raiders topped a Yahoo Sports poll of the predictions of quarterback agents and league executives.
But the lone quarterback agent, who surpassed his targets and ranked three of his best guesses, waited to mention the Raiders until third place.
The agent placed the Atlanta Falcons in second place.
And the Pittsburgh Steelers, in what now seems prescient, took first place.
“Obvious need and a playoff team,” the agent texted six days before Wilson and the NFL tweeted apparent confirmations. “This is his best opportunity to start and have a competitive team.”
Wilson seems to agree. Because on Sunday night, about 16 hours before the Steelers could legally submit a deal to the league, Wilson tweeted a video.
His caption: “Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers”
The official NFL Twitter account chimed in with its 35 million followers: “@DangeRussWilson is a Steeler!!”
The marriage is intriguing, with Wilson set to compete with 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett and a likely third quarterback in the building (veteran journeyman Mason Rudolph finished the 2023 season as a starter for Pittsburgh, but is scheduled to hit free agency).
Equally interesting is the haste with which the Steelers moved to lock up Wilson.
Sure, his veteran’s minimum salary of $1.2 million is an attractive price. But Wilson has also met a mixed reception in the team’s locker room and front office, and his play has slipped enough to convince the Broncos (and primarily head coach Sean Payton) that $85 million in dead cap space It is more acceptable than resorting to the services of the Broncos. he will be paying.
So why reach an agreement so quickly?
It makes sense that the Steelers would want to sign a player they want (especially at Wilson’s bargain price) so they can plan the rest of their personnel moves and free agency strategy accordingly.
Wilson, however, had more reason to hope. Without money as a goal, why not guarantee you your best chance to get started? 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 it wanted or a team that got him but knows the kid It needs time, league The voices reasoned.
“Look for a team with a young, suspect QB,” one agent said.
“Wait for an injury to occur? Like all the dust has to settle,” added an executive.
Then came another executive who established a paradigm.
“In almost all cases, the sooner the better so you can get the system, replays, etc.…” the executive said. “I would feel good if it was done quickly, if it was started.
“If he’s a substitute, then all bets are off because there isn’t the same urgency.”
Which brings us to what the Steelers may have revealed Sunday night: We should expect Wilson to be in legitimate contention to be a starter in Pittsburgh in 2024.
He is expected to begin working with receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, and begin learning first-year coordinator (and former Falcons head coach) Arthur Smith’s scheme. Expect Wilson to have a significant chance to supplant Pickett, who completed 62% of pass attempts for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games last season. And expect Wilson to get some real snaps in offseason activities and in training camp, whether Rudolph returns to the building or not. (The Steelers seem to have better leverage to bring Rudolph back at a cheaper price now, if Rudolph wants to stay.)
Forget the criticism of Wilson, who by the way ranked eighth in passer rating and ninth in touchdowns despite Payton benching him in December. Forget Steelers general manager Omar Khan’s claims at the NFL scouting combine last month that he has “full faith in Kenny” amid “issues on offense last year,” a quote on camera that seemed to blame the coach and the playbook and calm them down. of the player.
Only later did Khan offer what may be the truest part of his statement.
“We’ll have some strong competition there” at quarterback, he said, “and we’ll see where it goes.”
It’s not hard to imagine a path the Steelers’ quarterback competition could likely go down. Waiting at the end, before long, is Wilson’s coronation.