The Pittsburgh Steelers took a risk on former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, signing him to a one-year contract.
Wilson’s reputation has been tainted over the last two years as a member of the Denver Broncos, where his relationship with Sean Payton soured. However, all of that is behind him, as the Steelers took a chance on the former starter.
Even with Justin Fields joining the team, all indicators point to Wilson as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. Last weekend, the Steelers traded for Fields, who will compete with Wilson in OTAs and training camp.
However, it could be more sophisticated than that. According to one NFL executive, the Steelers could part ways with the 35-year-old before the season begins.
“There’s no commitment, obligation, loyalty to any of these guys,” Schefter said, emphasizing the Steelers did not invest a lot to acquire the veteran signal-caller and backup Justin Fields. “They didn’t pay much for either one of them. I even had an executive say if Justin Fields outplayed him, Russell Wilson, during training camp, they could see them moving on from him before the season.”
Nothing is set in stone. We all thought Wilson would transcend the Brocnos, as did the team when they signed him to a mega contract. Two years later, we question whether Wilson can be a starting quarterback in this league.
Things move quickly in the NFL, and a lot of strange things have occurred, so perhaps this NFL executive is on to something. The Steelers signed Wilosn for a one-year contract worth $1.2 million. In the NFL, that’s a steal.
Anything may happen, and the Steelers did not deal for Fields without a cause.
“Very little investment,” Schefter explained. “…They have the luxury of letting this play out during camp and doing whatever is best for that football team.”
Regardless, Wilson is poised to become Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. Both Wilson and Fields have had issues with their prior clubs, and it will be intriguing to see who emerges as the starting quarterback when the initial depth charts are posted.
What the Steelers might also do is attempt to replicate a dual-QB situation like the New Orleans Saints have done with Derek Carr and Taysom Hill. Hill would often come into the game and offer a different run-option play.
Fields is far more mobile than Wilson, and he could come in to confuse defenses even more—much like what Hill would do. The Steelers do have one of the strongest QB rooms in the NFL right now, despite Wilson being viewed as “washed.”
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