The Pittsburgh Steelers took a chance on veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and signed him during the 2024 offseason after the Denver Broncos essentially paid him to go away. Wilson previously helped the Seattle Seahawks get to two Super Bowls and win one, and had initially been a darling of Emerald City.
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Broncos' Sean Payton and quarterback Russell Wilson.
Tensions between Wilson and Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll came to a head. Wilson claimed that Carroll was controlling, and the Seahawks seemed to lose faith in their leader. This animosity seemed to carry over to the Broncos. The organization had hoped Wilson would take them back to their winning ways. However, those tensions must have been on the back burner because they reemerged as soon as Wilson struggled.
Wilson was called a diva, and rumors swirled that his teammates disliked him. Denver's head coach, Sean Payton, found him impossible to work with. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, that side of Wilson has been invisible. He has been working out with teammates, participating in charity events in the city, and getting to know the fans.
Steelers OC Arthur Smith says he's really enjoyed working w/ Justin Fields. "There's no drama to him. He doesn't try to live through his avatar or create a perception. That's probably why he was so endearing to his teammates in Chicago. ... Extremely coachable, extremely bright."
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) October 10, 2024
That's why it is a bit of a surprise that Colin Cowherd felt that Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith was targeting Wilson with his recent comments praising Justin Fields. Smith reportedly said what a pleasure it is working with Fields, saying he is drama-free, and that has to be why everyone loved him in Chicago. Cowherd said on his show, The Herd, that Payton had complained about Wilson being a politician who "kisses babies" and had to warn him he was playing football, not running for office.
"That's a direct shot, that's not even subtle, at Russell Wilson, and whether Russell Wilson and his handlers want to hear it or not, among players and coaches in this league, he is viewed as a phony. I've never seen anything like this. A star or a former star being called out. Even guys that are a headache, like T.O. [Terrell Owens] had his fans. But Russell Wilson, in just a few seasons, has gone from perennial Pro Bowler, two Super Bowls to not sure anybody wants him in their locker room. Pete didn't, Sean didn't, and now Arthur Smith is over it."
Cowherd said it has only been four years since everyone was yelling, "Let Russ Cook" so the fall from grace here has been rapid and drastic. He quipped they let Wilson cook, and he "burnt the kitchen down."
Stephen Brashear / Associated Press
The Seahawks sacked quarterback Russell Wilson.
He also noted that he thought it was unusual for an assistant coach in Pittsburgh to say anything like this. Head Coach Mike Tomlin usually keeps his coaching staff tight-lipped. Cowherd said it feels like we've all been watching a bad movie with a great buildup, but a disappointing finish.
"Pete Carroll, 'Get out of here,' Sean Payton called him out publicly, and now Arthur Smith, this isn't even subtle, calls him out. I mean, I've never seen anything like it. It's crazy."
Wilson has been sidelined so far for the 2024 season with a calf injury, which has allowed Fields to start and spend more time working with the coaching staff. All players have echoed Smith's sentiments, saying Fields is a consummate professional who goes out of his way to work with his teammates and help everyone improve. Cowherd may be reading way too much into Smith's comments.
AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
He will get the chance to be the number two behind Fields for the first time during the Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Tomlin has not indicated that a decision has been made about when or if Wilson will get a shot at taking back the starting job he was promised.
Steelers' Justin Fields And Russell Wilson Are Both Team Leaders
Fields and Wilson have both reportedly embraced their leadership roles in Pittsburgh. Wilson is said to be a more vocal cheerleader, while Fields is quieter and more likely to speak one-on-one with a teammate.
In football, the most important thing is often winning. The players reportedly like and respect both players; they even made Wilson a team captain. However, if they feel that one is more likely than the other to get the franchise back to winning playoff games, they are likely to be swayed in that direction.
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