Why Steelers Quarterback Russell Wilson Is More Likely To Succeed In Pittsburgh Than Denver

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to ignite excitement into their fans around Steeler Nation as they progress through Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Steelers fans have a whole lot to look forward to in 2024, and a big name that hypes up the crowd is new quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson, a 35-year-old who has appeared in nine Pro Bowls and won the Lombardi Trophy over a decade ago, comes to the Steel City looking to resurrect his career after two disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos.

After Pittsburgh was unable to make things work with 2022 first-round draft pick in quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Steelers were forced to go after a proven veteran like Wilson in free agency. Wilson, drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, would go on to spend his first 10 years in league with the blue and green. Wilson quickly became one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and would go down as one of the most dominant throwers of the 2010's era. 

Wilson led Seattle to the franchise's first Super Bowl victory in the 2013-2014 season, but has been unable to raise the Lombardi since. As his time ran out with them, Wilson was traded to Denver before the 2022 season in exchange for two first round draft picks, two second rounders, a fifth rounder, and a handful of players. Not only that, the Broncos eventually gave Wilson a massive contract which famously came back to bite them in the end. 

Wilson was heading to Denver looking for a fresh start as one of the best quarterbacks of this generation. This "fresh start" for Wilson was ultimately the worst thing that could have happened to him. His time with Denver would damage his resume and his reputation as an elite level quarterback in the NFL. Denver wasn't unable to succeed with Wilson, as the quarterback only won 11 games in two seasons. 

Statistically, Wilson wasn't that horrible in the Mile High City. Much like the Steelers as of late, it just looked ugly. Wilson and Denver weren't winning a lot of ball games, and they weren't scoring a lot of points. Head Coach Sean Payton and Wilson couldn't get on the same page, which led to Wilson's release from the Broncos after the 2023 season. Now, Wilson looks for yet another fresh start with the Steelers, and this could be his last shot. 

Chris Simms, a former NFL quarterback and current analyst for NFL on NBC, spoke about why Wilson struggled in Denver with Payton's offense and how he will be in a more simple offense in Pittsburgh. 

"He's not the greatest three step drop thrower, and that's a big part of Sean Payton's offense. He grew up in the world of simple offense, Seattle. 'We'll protect you, if this guys open hit him, if he's not move a little and hit somebody else.' And that's where he thrived last year and that's where I think he's gonna thrive this year with Arthur Smith and the Steelers."

It isn't just Wilson that is looking for a fresh start in 2024, but the Steelers offense as an entirety as well. Arthur Smith has come into the Steel City with a plan, and a plan that the offensive players are loving this far into OTA's. 

Smith and the Steelers plan to play to their strengths, which is feeding the rock to the guys in the backfield like Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who have the potential of becoming the best tandem in the NFL this year. As the Steelers dominant in the run game, this should allow Wilson to play to his strengths. 

"They're gonna run the ball, they're gonna make him feel protected. They're gonna have plays where they're going 'We have a play here through our week of study and we've taught you throughout the week, and now just go play.' And I think that will fit him a lot better than what he's had to do the last two years in Denver."

During his two seasons with the Broncos, Wilson collected 42 passing touchdowns and 19 interceptions, which is far better than anything Pittsburgh has gotten in recent years. 

Steelers' Russell Wilson Likely On A Short Leash Amidst Competition 

Shortly after the signing of Wilson, the Steelers landed special talent Justin Fields in a shocking trade. This brought an interesting aspect to the quarterback room in Pittsburgh, because now the team has two capable starters. Before the arrival of the two, Pittsburgh arguably didn't have a capable starter at all. While Wilson is apparently still in "pole position" for the starting job, it won't be long before Acrisure Stadium is chanting Fields' name if Wilson isn't performing well. 

What do you think of Simms' take on Wilson? Will he get the job done, or will we see Fields under center sooner rather than later? Let us know in the comments.

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