The Pittsburgh Steelers are the latest team to attempt to deploy the Russell Wilson experience, but they should brace themselves accordingly. Finally, the Denver Broncos rid themselves of the past. Russell Wilson was not going to do the Broncos any good being on the team any longer.
The Broncos made the right move when they released him, but that isn't without an NFL-record $85 million in dead cap, which will be spread out over two seasons. It's a hefty price to pay, and additionally, the Broncos are paying Wilson nearly $40 million to not be on the team in 2024.
No matter how you slice it, Denver was simply ready to move on. Now, Russell Wilson can convince Steelers fans that he still has something left in the tank and could try and stick it to his old team. Well, Steelers fans, you need to brace for these three things with Russell Wilson.
3 things Steelers fans should brace for with new quarterback Russell Wilson
1. A ton of sacks
Like, a ton. Across his NFL regular season career, Russell Wilson has taken a whopping 527 sacks in 188 games. If we do the math, that brings his total sacks taken per game to 2.8. Over a 17-game season, Wilson takes 48 sacks. Forty-eight.
He took 100 total sacks in just 30 games, which is 3.33 sacks per game. That number is 57 over a 17-game season. However you slice it, Russell Wilson is probably going to take around 50 sacks in 2024 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, given he starts the entire season.
A lot of wasted downs are coming to the Steel City, and that is just who the QB is and who he has always been. Given that he is a year older and is heading to a team with a poor offensive line. The Broncos' offensive line in 2023 was quite good on paper, but the Steelers' OL in 2024 might not be able to say the same thing.
Maybe a few late-game comebacks
In 2023 with the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson was credited with four fourth-quarter comebacks and four game-winning drives. He actually led the league in fourth-quarter comebacks last year. Wilson had a habit for the dramatic, and while it was fun and exhilarating for Broncos fans, it was also quite stressful.
The Steelers are a well-coached football team that simply do not lose much at all. During Mike Tomlin's tenure thus far as their head coach, he has never finished with a losing season. Given that Wilson seems to still have the clutch gene in him, and given how consistent Tomlin has been with his record, there are bound to be a few occasions where Wilson and the Steelers mount a late-game comeback.
You do have to give credit to Russell Wilson for this part of his game in 2023. I mean, he was money in the fourth quarter. And unless he truly hit and wall and is just unplayable in 2024, Steelers fans will get to enjoy a few of these.
An overall rollercoaster experience
And at the end of the day, Russell Wilson will provide the Pittsburgh Steelers with a rollercoaster of an experience. Some weeks will leave the fans feeling on top of the world, and other weeks will leave them feeling like they root for the worst team in football. This rollercoaster has only gotten more aggressive as the QB has gotten older.
He's aging and declining, and might not even be in the league in a couple of short seasons. The 2024 NFL Season with the Pittsburgh Steelers might be his last shot to be a viable starter in the NFL. There could come a time when Wilson is reduced to being a one-year bridge quarterback, but you never know.
Steelers fans should prepare themselves for this crazy ride accordingly.