We all want the same thing: a seventh Lombardi Trophy for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the means of getting to the final destination looks very different to Steelers fans.
When the news broke that Russell Wilson was signing with Pittsburgh, many fans rejoiced, while others shook their head at the move. Meanwhile, other fans still believe that Kenny Pickett will be the starting quarterback for the 2024 season and that Wilson will be the backup.
It's hard to argue with the price the Steelers paid to acquire the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback. After the Broncos were forced to eat millions in cap space not to have him on their roster, Wilson signed with Pittsburgh on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum ($1.2 million).
However, like many big moves the Steelers' front office makes, the decision to sign the 35-year-old veteran quarterback was met with both praise and controversy by the fanbase. Fans, writers, and media personnel took to social media to share their thoughts on the decision.
We didn’t have to trade draft picks. We got him for Peanuts. Thanks Denver. Bring that Corny mfer to the Steel City. Idc. I just wanna win football games and Russ Wilson brings that to the Steelers. Hell yes. Im having a victory smoke.
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) March 11, 2024
Adding Russell Wilson puts Steelers into "win a playoff game" contenders. Hurdle they couldn't get past the last seven seasons.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) March 11, 2024
Don't see it putting them into Super Bowl contention. Not sure the path to get there. #Steelers
The biggest news in Russell Wilson news isn’t the Russell Wilson news-he will probably be ok at best. Or that Pickett was a bust; he was never good enough. It’s the Steelers (Khan really) might be philosophically finally getting into modern times and acting quickly to cut losses.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) March 11, 2024
Russell Wilson is making HALF of what the Bills gave the awful Mitch Trubisky.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 11, 2024
If you don’t understand that this is highway robbery. There’s something wrong with you.
The Russell Wilson slobbering is already out of control. Did you watch him the last two years?
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) March 11, 2024
Out of all realistic possibilities, the Steelers improving their QB room without having to give up any draft capital in a trade and signing Russell Wilson for ONLY $1.2 million is arguably the best case scenario.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) March 11, 2024
Well done to Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin for getting this done.
I’m not gonna argue with every which person who thinks Russell Wilson stinks now. 26 touchdowns last year, probably would still be in Denver if Sean Payton didn’t wish he was dead, he’s better than what the steelers had, he’s cheap, and I think he can still play.
— Zac Celedonia (@ZeFlashNFL) March 11, 2024
Not trying to be a downer, but this doesn’t change much for the Steelers. Russ is the difference between going 9-8 and 10-7. You taking him over Mahomes? Allen? Burrow? Herbert? Stroud? Lamar? Trevor?
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) March 11, 2024
As I’ve said, it’s better than where they were at, but that’s not saying much
Steelers picked the best possible backup for Kenny Pickett. Russ got experience, talent and wisdom that can be passed on to Pickett and make him one of the best QBs in football. I can't wait to see KP8 lead this team into the future.
— PICKETTSBURGH (@Pickettsburgh8) March 11, 2024
'Low cost' Russell Wilson signing doesn't come without a cost for Steelers
There are plenty of schools of thought here and arguments to be made on both sides. The pros for signing Russell Wilson are pretty to see. He will be an instant upgrade over Kenny Pickett, he has loads of playoff experience (including a Super Bowl win), and he had twice as many touchdown passes in 2023 (26) as Kenny Pickett does in his NFL career (13).
At the same time, Wilson's numbers last year don't tell the whole story. Despite earning a 98.0 passer rating, much of his work came in garbage time or when the game was out of reach. It's also worth noting that he threw just 5.8 percent of passes over the middle of the field, according to The Athletic NFL.
Because of his age and recent sample of play, Wilson is likely a stop-gap fix at best. What's sad is that Pittsburgh's Super Bowl odds did not increase after it was reported that he was signing with the Steelers.
The biggest thing to consider here is that, while Wilson comes at a low price of just $1.2 million for the 2023 season, it could cost this team another season. Is Wilson the QB who is going to take Pittsburgh back to the Super Bowl?
If the answer is no, and this team once again falls well short in the playoffs, we could look back on this signing as just another wasted year for the Steelers. The sad reality is that -- unless Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin are willing to fork up to find a franchise quarterback -- they are going to be stuck in limbo.
We will see how this whole thing plays out. Maybe Russell Wilson will prove doubters wrong or maybe he will prove that he doesn't have it anymore. Either way, you won't find the Steelers fanbase united by this decision.