Ex-NFL QB Ranks Steelers as Top Russell Wilson Landing Spot
Former NFL quarterback David Carr believes Russell Wilson wouldn't hurt for interest on the free-agent market and named six potential destinations for the Denver Broncos' $245 million enigma.
Carr, now an analyst with NFL Network, ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers — the only playoff team on his list — as Wilson's likely top suitor. They were followed by Washington, Tennessee, Chicago, Atlanta, and New England.
The Steelers have a crowded quarterback room right now, with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph in tow. But I suspect Mike Tomlin is not over the moon about any of these options. Pittsburgh would be in a much different situation right now if he were. Tomlin wouldn’t start Rudolph -- who got on a hot streak, but also served as the third-stringer until late in the season and is the only one of the three set to enter free agency this offseason -- over a healthy Pickett if he were happy with his QB1, that’s for sure.
The Steelers have become a vertical passing team since Mike Sullivan took over as offensive play-caller. It's a system in which Rudolph has thrived; consider the deep shot he lofted to George Pickens on a 66-yard score in Week 16. This system would fit Wilson like a glove. Not only can he push the ball vertically, but he can also be the general for a team that is run-centric and has a good defense. It'd be Seattle all over again!
Wilson would need to compete with Pickett (a former first-round pick who, Tomlin says, is still the starter) for the No. 1 job, but I believe that kind of competition would get the most out of him.
Acquired by Denver in 2022, Wilson is coming off his second season as the club's starter, completing 66.4% of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 15 games. He was benched for the final two weeks due to purported contractual issues; the Broncos, however, insist it was a football-based decision.
Though general manager George Paton last week claimed "the door is open" for Wilson to return, the 35-year-old reportedly expects to be cut in March, before injury provisions in his deal become fully guaranteed, leaving the Broncos on the hook for an unprecedented $85 million in dead money charges.
If released, Wilson would be free to sign with any team of his choosing — including (but not limited to) the Steelers, whom Denver is scheduled to host next season.
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