A new study on Russell Wilson’s free agency market raises concerns for the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2024 season. The Steelers have hired Wilson as their quarterback for the 2024 season.
The Steelers made a big move by trading Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. With Pickett in Philadelphia, the Steelers acquired Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick. Fields will be Wilson’s backup for the 2018 season.
The New York Giants did not think much of Russell Wilson.
Wilson could easily have been a backup for another squad. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the New York Giants did not value Wilson as highly as the Steelers did this offseason. Giants head coach Brian Daboll believed Wilson might fit well as a backup in New York:
There is a pattern here, too. According to league sources, the Giants held an exploratory meeting with Russell Wilson last week but made no commitments regarding playing time. That’s been the Giants’ strategy as they prepare for the 2024 season, with Jones as the likely starter.
Wilson was not immediately granted the Pittsburgh Steelers QB1 position.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, when the Steelers signed Wilson last week, they expected him to compete for the starting job. They were planned to give Wilson first-team reps this spring, which set off Pickett.
On Saturday night, before the legal tampering period began, Tomlin told Pickett that he wasn’t sure whether the team would sign Wilson, but if it did, there would be an open competition for the position. Pickett said he was cool with it. Wilson agreed to terms on Sunday. On Monday, Tomlin informed Pickett that Wilson would begin from pole position and receive the first reps at the start of OTAs, with Pickett competing from there.
Wilson had not been guaranteed a starting spot (or anything else). But you can see how Pickett’s first two years as a pro influenced how he perceived what Tomlin was telling him. His guard was up. He felt mislead by conversations that occurred less than 48 hours apart. This is why he ended up requesting a trade. You can blame anybody you want.
Did the Steelers back themselves into a corner at quarterback?
Following Howe’s assessment, the Steelers should be concerned that they have signed a quarterback who the league considers a backup to be their starting for the 2024 season. They also risk having to give up a 2025 fourth-round pick if Wilson struggles to begin the season and Fields becomes the starter.
The Steelers believed they were adding a veteran quarterback with the ability to win an extension. However, they may have signed a quarterback who will set the Steelers back for years in the quarterback market.
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