Steelers Named As Top Landing Spot For A Former Super Bowl Champion Quarterback Per NFL Insider Peter King

The Pittsburgh Steelers had two major headlines rolling into the 2024 offseason. The first, who would be their offensive coordinator? The second, who would be their 2024 starting quarterback? The first question was answered when the organization announced the hiring of Arthur Smith as their new OC. The quarterback question might not be answered until the start of the new season if there is an actual quarterback competition. But the Steelers have now been named as a landing spot for a quarterback who was once considered one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks of all-time.

The Steelers thought they had their man in Kenny Pickett. Pickett was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After two rocky seasons, Pickett's future in Pittsburgh seems less certain. After sustaining a high ankle sprain late in the season that required TightRope surgery to repair it, Pickett was replaced by backup Mitch Trubisky. When Trubisky failed to win games, he found himself benched in favor of longtime Steelers backup quarterback, Mason Rudolph. Rudolph was able to lead the team to the playoffs by winning three straight and nabbing a Wild Card spot. He even got the start in that Wild Card game, despite Pickett feeling well enough to play. With Rudolph now a free agent, that begs the question, will the Steelers bring him back? Or is there another veteran QB headed to the Steel City instead?

Is The Steelers Next Quarterback On The Roster Or On The Way?

The uncertainty over Pickett's abilities and Rudolph's future with the team have led to speculation that Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan might look to bring in someone from the outside. The Steelers have also been linked to veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill, since Smith coached him when he was with the Tennessee Titans. 

Tuesday on The Cook and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan however, hosts Ron Cook and Joe Starkey played a little word association game with their special guest Peter King. King, a well-respected longtime sports writer, was asked for the landing spot for Russell Wilson in 2024. He did not hesitate. 

"Pittsburgh."

This certainly shocked the hosts of the show. Wilson has been named as a possible replacement for Pickett before. He was most recently with the Denver Broncos and is expected to be released. The Broncos and Wilson have had a tumultuous two years together. They traded for him during the 2022 offseason and now it seems they are done with him. 

He came to Denver as a part of a blockbuster deal with the Seattle Seahawks and was expected to have a huge impact in the Mile High City. But the Broncos and Wilson did not find much success. They feel so certain that Wilson is part of the problem, they are willing to take on a whopping $85 million in dead cap space just to see him go. It will be the largest financial hit in league history. 

Pittsburgh has come up quite often since Wilson was benched by Denver. If Tomlin and Khan feel that Wilson provides an upgrade to Pickett and believe he will mesh nicely with Smith's offensive style, which is more run/play-action-heavy, then Pittsburgh could be a real contender. 

Wilson, 35, was highly successful with the Seahawks, helping them win a Super Bowl at the end of the 2013 season. He was previously selected to nine Pro Bowls, was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2020, and was the NFL passer rating leader and passing touchdowns leader. In his 12 seasons in the NFL, he has completed 3,668 passes out of 5,665 attempts for 43,653 yards, and 334 touchdowns. He has also rushed for another 5,307 yards and another 29 touchdowns. His current passer rating is 100.0.

Of course, many still believe in Pickett. Tomlin and Steelers President Art Rooney II have said that Pickett will have to work hard, but they see the potential in him. Smith, who was asked immediately following his hiring, said that he believes he can get Pickett on track, and that he is the right man for the job. 

While Pickett may have needed time to develop, this isn't uncommon in quarterbacks, but it is also possible that prior Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada damaged his development. Canada was fired after the Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns and we only got to see Pickett play one game without him.

What do you think about King's prediction? How about Smith getting Pickett back on track and successful? What about Rudolph, do you think he will return to the Steelers? Click to comment below!

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