The Pittsburgh Steelers made an exciting move by signing former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum. The Broncos will be paying the remainder of his massive salary, while Wilson will earn $1.21 million from the Steelers, with the Broncos footing a $37.79 million bill.
Gabriel Christus
Former Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson.
The opponents for all 32 teams have been released, but the schedule and weeks of their matchups haven't been confirmed yet. NFL.com writer Adam Rank listed his best revenge games of the 2024 season. While the opponents have been named, the dates and scheduling remain uncertain. Rank finds humor in the idea of the NFL forcing Wilson to open on the road against his former team, the Broncos.
“There is no way the NFL could send Russell Wilson to face his former team to open the season on Monday Night Football again. Right? That would be the funniest thing ever, and I sort of hope it happens."
Rank isn't the only one hoping this scenario unfolds. During Wilson's tenure in Denver, his career was overshadowed by failure, becoming the target of numerous jokes amid the team's struggle to secure victories.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
Former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
It appeared that many were invested in Wilson's continued misfortune, making him a prominent topic of discussion among NFL fans eagerly anticipating his struggles. The prospect of forcing him to open the season on the road against his former team presents both a challenging scenario and a captivating narrative.
When Wilson signed his five-year deal worth $242.6 million before the start of the 2022 season, he faced his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, in his first game. Despite the Broncos' 17-16 loss to the Seahawks, Wilson's performance wasn't poor. He threw for 340 yards and a touchdown in his debut as the Broncos' quarterback. Rank wants to see Wilson open up in Denver so he has a chance to avenge the loss to the Seahawks in 2022.
“For one, it would give Russ another chance right out of the gate to defeat his former team at their place, something he wasn’t able to do against the Seahawks two years ago.”
Rank had one more suggestion for the schedule makers. The Steelers traded for Justin Fields to serve as Wilson's backup. However, Rank doesn't see Fields as a mere backup for the entire 2024 season. He believes the schedule makers should schedule that revenge game early because Fields might just take Wilson's job.
“Also, the schedule-makers might want to consider doing this matchup early in the season, because Justin Fields could end up being the Steelers’ starter at some point in 2024.”
When the Steelers finalized the trade for Fields, many assumed it would spark an open competition to determine the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. However, it was swiftly reported that Wilson would be the starter, with Fields serving as the backup.
The media has been vocal in their opinions regarding the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh. Numerous pundits believe that Fields will challenge Wilson and eventually earn the starting role. This sets the stage for an intriguing storyline in the 2024 season.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Speaks On Pittsburgh's Quarterback Room
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media during his time in Orlando, where he fielded questions regarding the decision to name Wilson as the starter. Tomlin expressed his belief that it was fitting to bestow Wilson with that title. However, he left the door open, suggesting that Fields would also have a fair opportunity to vie for the starting role.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a regular season game.
It's no secret that Tomlin has been a staunch supporter of Fields since his entry into the league. Speculation about the potential brevity of Wilson's leash abounds, fueling anticipation that one of Tomlin's favored players may ultimately secure the starting position.
This situation presents a positive conundrum for Pittsburgh, as the quarterback competition promises to be robust and spirited. Such healthy competition bodes well for the Steelers' offensive performance in the upcoming 2024 season.
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