Like it or not, Russell Wilson might be the most realistic QB option for the Steelers

We know the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't about to enter the 2024 season with Kenny Pickett as the lone quarterback on their roster. Though Mike Tomlin's team found themselves in the playoffs this past year (thanks to some outside assistance), Pickett's overall performance left a lot to be desired.

As we near the start of free agency, rumors are swirling that Pittsburgh will indeed look to add quarterback help. This shouldn't come as a huge surprise, as this is something Tomlin admitted they would be looking for.

The most intriguing options that could be available to them include top free agent QB Kirk Cousins and potential trade target, Justin Fields. But there's another name that fans fear the Steelers could go after this offseason.

Russell Wilson is a realistic QB option for Steelers

Russell Wilson is a name that was once held with the utmost respect. During his early years in Seattle, Wilson instantly made the Seahawks contenders, and he helped them win a Super Bowl in just his second NFL season.

Wilson offered the ability to keep the Seahawks competitive each season until his final year with the team in 2021. Despite his reputation as a nine-time Pro Bowler, the thought of Russell Wilson as a starting NFL quarterback in 2024 leaves a sour taste in the mouth of many NFL fans.

Unfortunately, there is more than enough reason to believe that Russell Wilson could be the next starting quarterback in Pittsburgh. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler believes that Wilson will be cut by the Broncos and will sign a contract for considerably less with his new team, according to Bleacher Report. Fowler even suggested that Wilson could play for the veteran minimum.

This could make Wilson an intriguing option for the Steelers. Mike Tomlin could hold onto his draft capital and barely even leave a dent in the team's total salary cap to sign a quarterback with an incredible body of work and past Super Bowl success.

Obviously, there's no guarantee that Wilson would be a step up from what the team had last season. The veteran quarterback is 35 years old and has led his team to a dismal record of just 17-27 over the past three seasons, dating back to his final year with the Seahawks.

It is worth noting that Wilson managed 26 touchdown passes and just 8 interceptions in 15 starts last season -- good for a passer rating of 98.0. Wilson saw a career low in yards per attempt last season (6.9), but this is still a higher mark than Pickett in either of his first two seasons.

On the other hand, it's concerning that Wilson has taken a whopping 100 sacks over the past two seasons (30 games), and many football fans are wondering if he simply doesn't have play-making ability in his game anymore.

Signing Russell Wilson would be a low-risk move for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, but this would also come with a low ceiling. Still, we can't rule this out as a possibility for a team desperate to add competition to their quarterback room in 2024. Because of the cheap asking price, this might be the most realistic quarterback option of all.