The Pittsburgh Steelers recognized that, while defense carried the team through the 2023 campaign, poor quarterback play defined the year. After a complete overhaul of the positional group, Kenny Pickett is with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the 2024 competition is between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. However, if early reports from Pittsburgh's Organized Team Activities (OTAs) hold up, Wilson may already be running away with the job.
Wilson has seemed to hit the ground running ever since arriving in Pittsburgh, and that has apparently translated into success on the practice field. During the first week of Pittsburgh's OTAs, Wilson came out firing on all cylinders and has grabbed the attention of even the more skeptical among Pittsburgh's media.
Mark Kaboly of The Athletic was on site to see what Wilson has left in the tank and came away offering some very high praise on 93.7 The Fan, comparing the former Denver Broncos' quarterback to a future Hall of Fame Steelers' player.
"A lot of balls down the field, and he was pretty accurate with some deep balls there. Tight spirals, very accurate. He was to that point where Ben [Roethlisberger] was later in his career where he threw to a spot, threw to get guys open. I mean, that's just veteran. That's being around -- throwing, you know, 20,000 balls in your career where you can throw guys open a lot, and you could tell what Russell Wilson has a lot of that characteristics."
Roethlisberger is an all-time great in Pittsburgh, which makes Kaboly's comparison all the more unexpected. Wilson and Roethlisberger both had stifling defenses, a pounding running game, and solid coaching on the way to their respective Super Bowl victories.
The former Steelers' quarterback made a career out of eluding pass rushers and turning lost plays into incredible, down-the-field throws. His gunslinger attitude was exciting and formidable, but as Roethlisberger aged, he adjusted his game, as Kaboly eluded to.
While Roethlisberger's abilities declined down the stretch of his NFL career, Wilson is eager to prove that he still has plenty left to give at 35 years old. Pittsburgh's former passer ended his career with a long playoff victory drought, something that Wilson was brought in to help Pittsburgh avoid.
In Denver, Wilson was expected to be the savior and lift the franchise back to the heights Peyton Manning had achieved. However, a lack of coaching and a general sense of chaos led to two unproductive seasons with the Broncos, never coming close to equaling the massive cost of acquiring Wilson in the first place.
The Steelers offered a much more logical landing spot, with a similarly-built roster as he had with the Seattle Seahawks during the team's back-to-back Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowls XLVIII and XLIX). If Wilson is right about having enough left to compete, he couldn't have found a better place to try than Pittsburgh.
Steelers Surrounding The Quarterbacks Well
Pittsburgh will once again be led by a well-paid, talented defense in 2024 as the newly installed offense gels as a unit. Wilson is expected to be under center when the 2024 campaign gets underway, but regardless of whether Wilson or Fields wins the job, the roster is built to support and not lean on the quarterback. The Steelers invested heavily in their offensive line since 2023 and have a strong, hungry, bullying group ready to lead the way and protect their passer.
While Najee Harris is going through his own frustrations over his declined fifth-year option, that doesn't mean he will be any less dangerous of a runner when the season begins. Between Harris and Jaylen Warren, especially behind the upgraded offensive line, the Steelers have every reason to believe that the running game will be successful.
With a defense that can flip the game at any moment thanks to stars like TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, plus newcomer Patrick Queen, the offense has the breathing room to grow into itself. After a 2024 offseason dedicated to righting the ship in Pittsburgh, the Steelers seem poised to make a big leap forward.
