The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, where quarterback Russell Wilson will be making his first start in the black and gold. Wilson caught a lot of attention and pressure this offseason after he signed with the Steelers on a one-year deal in hopes of redeeming his career. Wilson won the quarterback competition between he and Justin Fields, but former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe believes Wilson should have signed elsewhere.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' new starting QB Russell Wilson at the beginning of Organized Team Activities in 2024.
During their episode on Nightcap, Sharpe exposed his thoughts on Wilson's signing with the Steelers, explaining to co-host and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson that Wilson made the wrong move. Instead of coming to play with George Pickens and the rest, Sharpe claims Wilson would have been better off with either the Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, or New England Patriots, who all had interest in Wilson.
Johnson reasoned why Wilson's resume speaks to his winning of the quarterback competition, reflecting on his number of Pro Bowls and Super Bowl appearances. Without hesitation, Sharpe responded.
"You said Russ [Wilson] was a nine-time Pro Bowler, how many of those Pro Bowls were with the Steelers," Sharpe argued. "You said he went to the Super Bowl, he won one. How many of those were with the Steelers? He probably wouldn't have went to Pittsburgh had he known they were gonna get Justin Fields. He had other suitors."
Sharpe continues on about the Steelers' decision to go out and acquire Fields just three days after the signing of Wilson. Like most starting quarterbacks do when their team drafts a QB, Sharpe implies Wilson was upset with Fields' arrival. Johnson then defends Wilson's choice of trying out for Pittsburgh's starting job.
"Where was he gonna go," Johnson fired back. "Where that actually had a chance with a Super Bowl winning coach? No. The best decision was exactly where he went, to the Steelers. A winning organization that knows how to win, knows what it takes to win. Patriots? No. Raiders? No. Falcons? No."
Sharpe says Wilson's other suitors like the Falcons and Raiders have better play-makers than the Steelers.
"Why not? Davante Adams. They got Drake London. They got Kyle Pitts. They got Bijan Robinson. One got Davante Adams and Brock Bowers."
Johnson's argument seems the most logical. He doesn't miss crediting Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers for winning as a culture.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson walks down to practice at St. Vincent College in 2024.
Wilson and the Steelers will look to prove Sharpe wrong and show signs of an organization that's turned it around. Sharpe slams the Steelers for not winning anything of any significance in recent years, which is something they look to change. The goal for the team this offseason is to take a step forward and win a postseason game.
Steelers Listed As Underdogs In Week 1 Game Versus The Falcons
Many around the league are picking the Falcons to take the opening week win. The two squads are in similar situations as it pertains to their rosters. The Falcons got a new quarterback themselves, as they signed Kirk Cousins to a massive contract. They've also struggled offensively in recent seasons, much like the Steelers. Both teams have young and emerging play-makers on offense though. Cousins' favorite targets this season will be Drake London and Kyle Pitts, while Bijan Robinson can catch some out of the backfield too.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers RB Najee Harris runs over an Atlanta Falcons defender in Week 3 of the 2023 preseason.
Both teams would like to start the season off hot, but only one will come away with the win. Many NFL analysts, along with the sportsbooks, are favoring the Falcons as the home team. The Steelers' first half of the schedule is where they'd like to get ahead, before their gauntlet after the bye week.
What do you think of Sharpe and Johnson's debate over Wilson? Did he make the right choice by coming to the Steel City? Who are you taking between the Steelers and Falcons Week 1? Let us know below.
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