Current Free Agent Quarterback Russell Wilson got the fans fired up today during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” Wilson claims the Steelers and his agent are discussing bringing back the former Super Bowl champion for next season.
Let me calm everyone down here before people start fighting like someone insulted their mother. Communication between players and teams whose seasons are over is a fairly normal thing. But just because the Steelers and Wilson’s representatives are talking really doesn’t mean all that much.
Conversations such as these are a starting point. There are many things to consider with the money and length of the contract being among the most important. Those things are massively important when it comes to Russell Wilson.
Anyone who saw him over the last five games would likely not be crazy about his return. Five losses with three fumbles, 18 sacks and two interceptions is nothing that will excite this fan base. In fairness, not all of that was on him but early in those games his effectiveness was, shall we say, non-existent? Late in these games when the Steelers were forced to throw is when his play perked up and some of that was due to soft coverage by the opposition.
Ultimately, it takes two to tango and Wilson and the Steelers have to find common ground on the numbers. I have to believe money isn’t a big deal for Wilson as he’s made roughly $300 million in his career but he isn’t going to play for peanuts either.
I am in no way suggesting that there is someone better out there who will fit what Arthur Smith wants to do. I can’t say there’s anyone who would be affordable or provide the team with anything better than Wilson would. What I am saying, is that this is way too early in the process to start getting too happy or too sad about Wilson returning.
