Does Russell Wilson End Kenny Pickett Era for Steelers?
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have their new quarterback, signing former Denver Bronco Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth just $1.2 million. Heading into free agency, the team has two players they likely view as starters, but one has a Super Bowl and the other has struggled his first two years in the league.
So, is the Kenny Pickett era done in Pittsburgh?
Chance are, no. The Steelers originally viewed Wilson as a backup option to Pickett, allowing him to be a viable mentor and someone who could step in during the season and continue to win, if needed. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh said this will be competition.
"Pittsburgh made it clear that it was bringing in competition for Kenny Pickett. And I think Russell Wilson doesn’t go anywhere that he doesn’t think that he isn’t gonna be the starter. Now, he’s gonna have to go earn it and he’s gonna have to play well," Schefter said on Sportscenter. "But Russell Wilson is ultra-confident in his abilities and what he will bring to that franchise. You’re talking about a guy with nine Pro Bowls, who has won a Super Bowl. I don’t think that he thinks he’s going to Pittsburgh to backup Kenny Pickett. But, certainly, Kenny Pickett will have the opportunity to play well this summer and we’ll see how that goes."
If Wilson is deemed the starter - which is likely to happen when a Super Bowl-winning veteran takes on a developing young player - does that strike the end of Pickett? No. It simply means the Steelers get more time to develop their younger quarterback, while he works behind someone they believe can mentor him.
Wilson was beloved by his teammates in Denver, and is viewed by many as someone who can bring leadership to the locker room. The Steelers will be able to utilize that to help Pickett grow over the next season, and then from there, see if he's ready to play.
Who it might end his run for is Mason Rudolph, who remains a free agent. Even if the team does re-sign him, chances are he's a backup to both players, leaving him in the same boat he was last season.
But for Pickett, best case scenario is he beats out Wilson. The worst case scenario is he gets to learn behind a quality veteran for a season. Something he should've gotten the opportunity to do his first year.
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