Steelers’ Russell Wilson Having An Eye-opening Experience About How The NFL Views Him: “Dude This Is What The NFL Is Like”

The Pittsburgh Steelers' acquisition of Russell Wilson as their new quarterback marks a dramatic shift from NFL stardom to potential backup status in just two seasons. This rapid descent underscores the unforgiving nature of professional football, particularly at its highest levels, where humility can swiftly replace glory. Even for a player of Wilson's caliber, destined for Hall of Fame consideration, the harsh realities of the NFL are unavoidable.

Wilson's journey to Pittsburgh follows two challenging seasons with the Denver Broncos, during which the team's Super Bowl aspirations faltered under his leadership, resulting in an 11-19 record. Despite his individual stats in the 2023 season—26 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and 3,070 passing yards—the Broncos opted to part ways with Wilson due to his reluctance to renegotiate his hefty contract. This decision led to his benching and eventual departure to the Steelers.

In a revealing discussion on the Minus Three podcast, former NFL player Chris Long shed light on the Steelers' decision to sign Wilson and the sobering realization he now confronts regarding his standing in the eyes of the NFL.

"He's doing a press conference and he's got the black sport coat and he's got a haircut and he's like, 'I'm Mr. Steeler.' Then three days later, they're like, ‘Hey and we're trading for Justin Fields.’ It's the reality of the NFL. The security when you're a great player is awesome, but you earned it. You get used to it. When you change teams, there are some moments where you're like, da** dude, this is what the NFL is like. When you get to be older and they treat you that way a little bit more, it's eye-opening."

When the Steelers agreed to bring Wilson in on a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum, it wasn't exactly a tale of hardship. Wilson still commands a substantial salary from the Broncos, so it's not as though he's scraping by. However, the initial understanding was that he would be the unquestioned starter for the entirety of 2024.

Just days later, as Long pointed out, the Steelers pulled off yet another remarkable bargain. They acquired Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in a trade that seemed almost too good to be true. All it cost them was a sixth-round conditional pick, potentially escalating to a fourth-round pick depending on Fields' playing time in 2024.

Wilson responded to this development with the poise of a seasoned veteran, taking to social media to express excitement about the dynamic quarterback room with Fields joining the team. 

Yet, beneath the composed exterior, it's evident that Wilson, at 35 years old, still possesses the fierce determination and desire to reclaim the heights of his career. He's driven to demonstrate to the NFL that he's capable of recapturing the glory of his nine Pro Bowl appearances and Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks.

"We joke a lot about Russ, but his belief, he believes in himself. That's a big part of it. Right now, he still does. The rest of the world could be like, 'Hey you're not as good,' but in his head, he's gotta think that way, and it's hard to turn that off.”

Steelers' Russell Wilson Ready For Revenge Tour In Pittsburgh

Wilson's stance on assuming a mentorship role isn't clear. However, he wants to be the starter and be the guy who helps end the Steelers' playoff drought. Steelers fans are understandably thrilled at the prospect of having such a seasoned quarterback on their roster. Wilson brings a wealth of experience, having weathered various challenges, and now he's motivated to prove he's still at the peak of NFL excellence.

The 2024 season looms large for Wilson. He's expressed his desire to establish a long-term tenure in Pittsburgh, but his performance this season will be the ultimate decider. With Fields waiting in the wings and a chance to vie for the starting position, some speculate that Wilson's tenure in Pittsburgh could be brief. However, Wilson remains confident in his abilities and is eager to compete. With his competitive fire, the Steelers can anticipate an electrifying quarterback room in 2024, poised to extract the best from each player.

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