Cowherd: Steelers Don't Need A Savior; Russell Wilson Makes Perfect Sense

The Pittsburgh Steelers apparently do not have anyone convinced that they will stick with quarterback Kenny Pickett in 2024. Even though President Art Rooney II said Pickett needs to have a big year in 2024 and Head Coach Mike Tomlin said he is confident in him, everyone with an interest in the team is linking them to someone else. 

There have been so many names thrown about, it is hard to keep track of them all. There's been Justin Fields (if the Chicago Bears decide to trade him), Kirk Cousins (who has been with the Minnesota Vikings), Ryan Tannehill from the Tennessee Titans, and then lately, it has been Russell Wilson. 

Wilson is a bit of a conundrum. He won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks and was later traded to the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster deal. The Seahawks sent Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Mile High City in exchange for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant. It was billed as a way to save the Broncos, who have struggled since Peyton Manning retired. The Broncos ended up signing him to a five-year $245 million contract extension. 

Could The Steelers Be The Perfect Home For Wilson?

That season was terrible for both the Broncos and Wilson. Then 2023 wasn't much better and Wilson found himself benched for the last couple of games of the season. Despite his rocky time in Denver, some think his career can be revitalized.   

One of those people is Colin Cowherd, who said on The Herd With Colin Cowherd that the Steelers and Wilson might be a better fit than folks realize. Cowherd responded to a recent comment by former Cincinnati Bengals player Chad Johnson, who said "a little birdie" told him Wilson was heading to the Steelers. Cowherd said that it might be a good match.

"First of all, the Steelers have an excellent roster and they're bad at quarterback. In the AFC, you got to do better than Kenny Pickett at quarterback. This is actually a good fit," said Cowherd.

Cowherd reminded listeners that when the rumors about Fields broke, he said he didn't think that he worked well with Pittsburgh because he isn't "refined or efficient." He then ticked off the reasons Wilson is a good fit: he's refined, he wins, he's efficient, and we know who he is. Cowherd admits that Wilson isn't in his prime, but said it isn't far past it and the Steelers need someone like him. 

"The Steelers, frankly on offense, could use his commitment, could use his maturity, could use his experience, and could use his accuracy."

He goes on to add that he can understand how a player like Wilson would upset a very offensive-minded coach like Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton. Wilson apparently didn't take kindly to being benched and it has caused the situation in Denver to get quite toxic. 

Tomlin is a defensive coach, not an offensive one and Cowherd thinks that will make all the difference. After all, Wilson went to two Super Bowls under former Seahawks Head Coach, Pete Carroll, who is a defensive-minded coach. Cowherd said that Wilson is not a player who turns the ball over and can ad-lib on the field if needed. The problem in Denver was that no one managed expectations.

"When Russell went to Denver, he was viewed as a savior. That's not what he is here. Pittsburgh's winning with Kenny Pickett," said Cowherd with an incredulous chuckle. "They don't need a savior. They have the longest-tenured coach in the NFL in Tomlin. One of the things he does pretty well is he builds a culture, he's an alpha. There's a toughness to the Steelers. But what they aren't on offense is dependable, and efficient, and consistently accurate, and they don't get the ball to their stars. I never worry about that with Russell Wilson."

Cowher said that the Broncos set themselves up for failure with Wilson. They expected him to come in and change everything because of how much was riding on it - the draft picks and the huge contract. They saw him as a "messiah" and tried to build the whole culture around him. But Wilson and Payton or Wilson and Denver were not good fits for each other. 

That notion of fit is critical, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Cowherd said with the exception of Patrick Mahomes or someone like that who could play anywhere they have to fit. His example that Tua Tagovailoa was considered a "bust" with Brian Flores, but is now flourishing with Mike McDaniel. Payton can be "harsh and intense" while Wilson is "overly optimistic."

The Steelers have talent, the team is loaded on both sides of the ball, and are just lacking reliability and maturity at the quarterback position. The new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, will know exactly how to work with a player like Wilson. Wilson will be able to do what Mason Rudolph was able to do at the end of the season and get the ball into playmakers' hands. 

"If you're going to go up against Mahomes, and Josh Allen, and Lamar [Jackson] and [Joe] Burrow, stop convincing yourself Kenny Pickett's the guy. You got to have a playmaker back there," said Cowherd.

The Steelers' offense is so young. We have seen example after example of some immature behaviors from them. There are few veteran players on the offense and it leaves no one to step up and keep these young men in line. Wilson is able to do that. He will be able to pull in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. 

What do you think about the idea of Wilson coming to Pittsburgh? Does anything Cowherd said change your mind at all? Click to comment below.

#SteelerNation