The Pittsburgh Steelers have somewhat of a quarterback competition heading into the 2024 season. Russell Wilson hasn't been officially named the starter over Justin Fields, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin has said that Wilson is in "pole position" to win the job. Both quarterbacks have a lot to prove, but especially Wilson. At 35 years old, Wilson is in a battle with Father Time, who, to this point, is undefeated. If Wilson can't play like his old self this upcoming season, it might be time for him to call it a career.
After being named a Pro Bowler in nine of his first 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson had a very underwhelming two-year stint with the Denver Broncos. The veteran quarterback went 11-19 as a starter in Denver. Although his 2023 season was statistically successful, Wilson only managed to win seven games.
Seven wins doesn't cut it in the NFL and it certainly won't cut it for the Steelers who haven't won less than eight games in a season since 2003 with Tommy Maddox at quarterback. Wilson is expected to at least be an upgrade from last season's quarterback situation.
If the Steelers win less games with Wilson under center than they did with the Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph nightmare, then Wilson will need to take a long look in the mirror and think about his future. ESPN's Booger McFarland was on ESPN Live recently with Dan Orlovsky and Dan Graziano and had a clear message for the quarterback.
"If he can't get it done in this offense, he might as well go ahead and retire and get a tee time with me," McFarland said.
Wilson's struggles in Denver can be blamed on a multitude of different things. He didn't have great weapons in Denver, had two head coaches in two seasons and played in an offensive scheme that didn't fit his play-style. He also could simply just be regressing in the way that most athletes do in their mid 30s.
If the 2024 season concludes and it seems as if Denver wasn't the problem and Wilson's best days are behind him, then it would be hard to imagine him being an NFL starting quarterback again.
The Steelers have a much better offense on paper than what Wilson had in his last two seasons with Denver. With George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and a young, improved offensive line, Wilson has no excuses. The only real hole on the Steelers' offense is a second wide receiver behind Pickens, but that's not enough to blame poor quarterback performances on.
Teryl Austin's defense is one of the best in the league and has the ability to keep the veteran in games when the offense isn't firing on all cylinders. If Wilson can limit three and outs, the defense led by TJ Watt can create opportunities for Wilson's offense.
Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will have one of the heavier run-based offenses in football and draw quality up play-action pass plays for Wilson to succeed. Smith had a lot of success with the Tennessee Titans doing exactly that in 2019 and 2020.
Steelers' Quarterback Russell Wilson Is Heading Into A Make Or Break Season With Pittsburgh
This very well could be Wilson's final shot in the NFL. He has good enough offensive weapons to succeed and a defense that could be the best in the league. It's all up to him to play well enough to continue earning opportunities as an NFL quarterback.
Wilson has said that he wants to win a few more Super Bowls before he calls it quits, but he'll have to prove that he can make the playoffs first, which he hasn't done since 2020 with the Seahawks. Wilson isn't even guaranteed a full season as the starter, if he falls apart in November, Fields will be waiting in the wings.
