When the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson publicized their divorce last week, speculation ran wild on where the aging nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback would land.
The Las Vegas Raiders headlined a Yahoo Sports poll of quarterback agents and league executives’ predictions.
But the one quarterback agent, who overachieved and ranked three top guesses, waited to mention the Raiders until third.
The agent slotted the Atlanta Falcons second.
And the Pittsburgh Steelers, in what now seems prescient, ranked first.
“Obvious need and a playoff team,” the agent texted six days before Wilson and the NFL tweeted apparent confirmations. “This is his best shot to start and have [a] competitive team.”
Wilson seems to agree. Because by Sunday night, more than two full days before Wilson’s Broncos release would finalize and clear the way for his Steelers deal, Wilson tweeted a video.
Its caption: “Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers”
The NFL’s official Twitter account chimed in to its 35 million followers: “.@DangeRussWilson is a Steeler!!”
The marriage is intriguing, with Wilson poised to compete with 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett and a likely third quarterback in the building (veteran journeyman Mason Rudolph ended the 2023 season starting for Pittsburgh, but is scheduled to hit free agency).
As interesting is the haste with which the Steelers moved to lock up Wilson.
Sure, his $1.2 million veteran minimum salary is an attractive price tag. But Wilson has also found mixed reception in locker rooms and team offices, and his play declined enough to convince the Broncos (and mostly head coach Sean Payton) that $85 million in dead salary-cap space is more palatable than calling upon the services the Broncos will be paying for.
So why agree to a deal so quickly?
FILE – Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Denver. Denver believed so strongly in Wilson that the Broncos gave him a five-year, $245 million extension before he played a game for them even though he had two years left on his deal. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Things didn’t go well for Russell Wilson in two seasons with the Broncos. He’ll get a fresh start in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
It makes sense the Steelers would want to lock up a player they want (especially at Wilson’s bargain-bin price point) in order to plan the rest of their personnel moves and free agency strategy accordingly.
Wilson, though, had more reason to wait. With money as no object, why not guarantee his greatest chance to start? Some executives and agents believed Wilson would wait until after the NFL Draft to locate a team that needed him, especially in 2024. Find a team that didn’t get the quarterback it sought or a team who did but knows the kid needs time, league voices reasoned.
“Look for a team with a young and suspect QB,” an agent said.
“Wait for injury? Like all dust has to settle,” an executive added.
Then came another executive who set up a paradigm.
“In almost all cases, the sooner the better so he can get the system, reps, etc. …” the executive said. “I’d feel decent that it’s done quickly, if starting.
“If he’s a backup, then all bets are off because there’s not the same amount of urgency.”
Which brings us to what the Steelers may have revealed Sunday night: We should expect Wilson to be in legitimate contention to start for Pittsburgh in 2024.
Expect him to start working with receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, and to start learning first-year coordinator (and former Falcons head coach) Arthur Smith’s scheme. Expect Wilson to have a meaningful chance to supplant Pickett, who completed 62% of pass attempts for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games last season. And expect Wilson to get real snaps in offseason activities and training camp, whether or not Rudolph returns to the building. (The Steelers seem to have better leverage to bring Rudolph back at a cheaper price now, if Rudolph wants to stay.)
Forget the criticism of Wilson, who by the way ranked eighth in passer rating and ninth in touchdowns despite Payton benching him in December. Forget Steelers general manager Omar Khan’s assertions at the NFL scouting combine last month that he has “full faith in Kenny” amid “issues in the offense last year,” an on-camera quote that seemed to levy blame at coach and playbook and assuage it from player.
Only afterward did Khan offer up what might be the truest part of his statement.
“We’ll have some strong competition there” at quarterback, he said, “and we’ll see where it goes.”
It’s not hard to envision one road the Steelers quarterback competition could very likely travel. Waiting at the end, before long, is the coronation of Wilson.
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NBC Sports Boston
This new Commanders draft rumor could be good news for Patriots
Nick Goss
Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 10:31 PM GMT+1·2 min read
10
This new Commanders draft rumor could be good news for Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
If we assume the Chicago Bears will draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, then the fun really begins at No. 2 when the Washington Commanders are on the clock.
The Commanders desperately need a franchise quarterback and this pick is the perfect opportunity for them to find that player. But which QB do they prefer at No. 2 overall?
LSU star and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels has been linked to the Commanders recently. But there’s another possibility, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“Everybody’s always trying to figure out, especially at the top of the draft, what the other teams are doing,” Pelissero said Monday on NFL Network.
“When I’ve had conversations here, with executives from other teams who know (Commanders GM) Adam Peters well, know the situation well, the most popular answer for what they do at No. 2 is J.J. McCarthy. So a lot of drama still to come.”
McCarthy was the starting quarterback for Michigan over the last two seasons and helped lead the Wolverines to a national title in 2023. He went 27-1 with a 68.3 completion percentage, 5680 yards, 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions as the starter.
How might this new Commanders rumor impact the Patriots?
Well, if they really like Daniels, they would need the Commanders to pass on him. And if this rumor is true, maybe they would pass on Daniels. If the Patriots are willing to trade down, they would probably get better offers from teams if both Daniels and Maye are available at No. 3 and not just one of them.
The only downside to this rumor from the Patriots’ perspective is if they really like McCarthy and envisioned trading down, stockpiling more picks and selecting the Michigan quarterback later in the first round.
Of course, this rumor could just be a classic smokescreen. Front office execs are always trying to fool other teams by leaking false rumors. We’ll find out how much truth there is in this rumor on draft night when the Commanders are on the clock and actually have to make a decision.
Whatever they decide could greatly impact how the Patriots use the No. 3 pick.
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