Russell Wilson Named ‘Best Fit’ for AFC Contender by Ex-HC
As a result of Russell Wilson's ugly divorce with Sean Payton and his eviction from the Denver Broncos this past NFL year, the coming offseason months present a new opportunity for the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback to get back on his feet with a new franchise for the upcoming 2024 season.
All signs point to the Broncos parting ways with Wilson after a tumultuous two seasons, ultimately ending with a sudden benching due to contractual and financial reasons. It opens the door for the 12-year vet to find the third home of his NFL career and get back to a similar level he was during his Seattle Seahawks days.
We still have some time before this season's champion is crowned just yet, but the speculation around finding a new home for Russ is already in full effect. Just recently, we saw former NFL star Shaun Alexander give his take on connecting the QB to the Atlanta Falcons, but now, a former league coach is getting into the mix of predictions with another squad in mind.
During a segment of ESPN's Get Up, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jeff Saturday continued to feed the flames of this offseason's rumors surrounding Wilson, advertising him as the "best fit" for the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback woes:
"Russell Wilson for Arthur Smith would be the best fit. He wants to play under center. He wants play action. He's a veteran quarterback, all the different things. I get the whole zone read thing, but Arthur Smith can create a run game no matter what he does. As good as anybody... And you have a vet guy in there that's won a bunch of games. I know people hate him; dude wins a bunch of freaking games."
Even with the decision to draft Kenny Pickett in the first round being as recent as two summers ago, there's still no guarantee he will maintain his starting spot in Pittsburgh heading into year three. In the 12 games he appeared in this past season, he threw for only six total touchdowns on the year for an underwhelming 2,070 yards passing with a 62% completion rate.
While the team's W/L floated above water at a 7-5 slate with Pickett at the helm, it was in large part due to the factors outside of their lacking passing game. Pittsburgh's stellar rushing duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren was a bulk of their offense, and their star power on defense, thanks for TJ Watt's 19 sacks, kept this pass rush in check.
The addition of Arthur Smith's run-heavy scheme as OC and Watt's continued dominance should keep this trend moving into next season, but an upgrade at the QB position may be necessary for the Steelers to raise this roster's ceiling.
Enter Russell Wilson, who could be an inexpensive, veteran option to bring in and help this unit return to the playoffs for the first time since Ben Roethlisberger was still leading the charge. An already established and effective rushing offense combined with an improved offensive line provides the necessary stability that Russ would need to find similar success he's had in the past.
Wilson will be turning 36 years old next season, and while the quarterback lifespan is seemingly spanning longer across the league each year, it's hard to imagine him turning the clock back enough to reach the same peaks of athleticism he had in the 2010s.
Instead, being in an offensive system where he can rely on the run first and be a game manager without being forced to act as a game changer or consistently make plays out of structure would immensely benefit Russell's prospects moving forward. Pittsburgh provides that and could be a place to watch if an upgrade from Pickett is the route this team takes.
We'll likely get a better sense of which destinations will be serious suitors for Wilson once the Super Bowl passes and the offseason is in full effect, but the Steelers have an early bid for one of the best potential landing spots for the 9x Pro Bowler.
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