Steelers knew all along Wilson was the undisputed QB1

by Bo Marchionte
Published March 15, 2023, 03:37 PM

Pittsburgh, PA – Prior to Pittsburgh signing Russell Wilson, I was extremely interested in how general manager Omar Kuhn would go about addressing the quarterback competition for incumbent Kenny Pickett who enters his third season. 

Little did anyone know except for Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin that Pickett would be traded hours after Wilson would greet the Pittsburgh media for the first time. Wilson was asked right from the get-go if he had any communication with Pickett since signing his contract.

“I texted Kenny and talked to him a little bit,” Wilson said. “Every day we go out there, let’s be the best version of ourselves and try to make this team better. So, that was cool. Just texted him right away.”

That might be the final text messages between the pair after Pittsburgh decided after two years their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft wasn’t worthy. 

The city was divided on believing the former Pitt Panthers and 2021 ACC Player of the Year can develop into the next franchise quarterback and follow the paths of Steelers winning Super quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. 

The Steelers front office has spoken and by trading Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles get the 120th pick in this year’s draft. The Steelers in return now own picks No. 98 and two 7th-round selections in 2025. Pickett will now serve as a backup to Jalen Hurts. 

Pittsburgh officially has another winning Super Bowl quarterback on the roster with their first free agent signing of the off season in nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson. During the press conference Wilson reiterated that winning is the number one priority and secondly scoring touchdowns which brought a smile to Tomlin’s face who was standing off to Wilson’s right side.

“I was fortunate to have several teams call and all that, but this is the place I wanted to be, be a Pittsburgh Steeler and to wear the black and gold,” Wilson said. “It’s a true honor, tradition, history. There are six trophies in there and we got to go get a seventh.”

Khan spoke to local media privately at the NFL Combine before heading to the podium in Indianapolis. The backdrop of a $12,000 painting for sale behind him he addressed questions on the current quarterback situation in Pittsburgh. 

“Regardless of what position, not just the quarterback position,” Khan said he wants the competition to be intense. “You guys heard me talk about this last year when I got this job that competition is important to me and that’s no different for the quarterback position.”

It appears after the trade involving Pickett that clearly and something I felt immediately was this was Wilson’s job to loose but to imagine Pickett being sent out of Pittsburgh hours after Wilson’s first appearance was something made for Hollywood. 

While most of the words spoken by general managers and head coaches at the combine fail to deliver, in this particular circumstance Kuhn brought in a quarterback with some real zest. 

Wilson was under siege ever since he was traded out of Seattle after the 2021 season. His arrival to Denver in March of 2022 signaled a fresh start that quickly turned sour once the Broncos failed to win. Going 11-19 during his two year stint in Denver Wilson will play for head coach Mike Tomlin, his third coach in as many years. 

HIs first season in Denver, the Broncos offense surrendered the most quarterback sacks (63) and Wilson was the most sacked quarterback that year being taken out a league leading 55 times. The combination of going 4-11 and his on the field play put Wilson on the back foot headed into this second season in Denver with a new head coach in Sean Payton after Nathaniel Hackett was fired after 15 games and replaced by interim head coach Jerry Rosburg.

The slate is wiped clean in Pittsburgh. It’s a fresh start and an opportunity to regain his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the National Football League. Finishing last season with 26 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions provide a glimpse of the player often mentioned amongst the best in the business. 

“Sometimes the best stuff, there are bumps and bruises along the way,” Wilson said, wearing his sleek black suit with a gold chain adorn around his neck. “For me, I’m looking forward to just competing and being the best version of me every day. That’s the best part. That’s what you bring to the table. You bring leadership, enthusiasm, edge. You don’t fall off the edge, but you bring it and the love for the game and the passion and the process.”

Wilson is now the only quarterback on the roster which leaves us to ponder if Justin Fields is a back up possibility. I hope not. Also will Pittsburgh begin in earnest to gauge the 2024 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks more intently. 

Wilson was asked about the interaction between him and Pickett and him replying, “Yeah, it was let’s make this team better, let’s do all that stuff. It was positive, forward. Let’s go do it.”

The same will not go for whomever Pittsburgh elects to sign or draft behind their now undisputed starter in Russell Wilson.