Ike Taylor on Russell Wilson Joining Steelers, "Russ Could Have Got Paid Elsewhere...He Wants to Be There"
The NFL world was shocked when it was made known that the Pittsburgh Steelers were signing Russell Wilson. Wilson spent the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos, but his relationship soured with head coach Sean Payton.
Payton ended up benching Wilson to save money against their cap, but it was also a message that he would be leaving the Broncos in the offseason. His being cut was fully announced and Wilson signed with the Steelers just days into free agency beginning.
The usual case for QBs signing elsewhere is for the highest bidder, but Wilson picked the Steelers for a bigger reason. Former Steelers CB Ike Taylor of Bleav in Steelers revealed how Wilson joining Pittsburgh had everything to do with him wanting to fully be there.
"I just think Russ wanted to be there. Russ could have got some money elsewhere. If you think about it, somebody would have given Russ more than $1.5, $1.2 million. So it's a win-win for both sides. It's a win-win for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the quarterback situation, still developing and growing Kenny Pickett at the same time. You get a veteran guy, Super Bowl-winning Russ, who knows how to be a professional on and off the field."
via Ike Taylor, Bleav in Steelers
Taylor has a huge point in that Wilson could have theoretically gone to another QB-needy team like the Falcons, Patriots, and Commanders. Instead, he had a long meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin, and that led to his immediate signing with the black and yellow.
"But Russ easily could have got 15 million from another team. So for me, that just showed me Russ kind of wanted to be there to be a Pittsburgh Steelers. But my personal opinion, I just think a lot of players because I'm just hearing it year in and year out, they just love playing for Coach T."
via Ike Taylor, Bleav in Steelers
Wilson could have easily signed a multi-year deal with another team to add to the huge amount the Broncos still owe him. Instead, he chose to sign with the Steelers for a vet minimum.
It will be interesting to see what will happen with Kenny Pickett, but he could stay and learn from one of the league's best passers.
James Brizuela has been a professional writer since 2019. After covering entertainment and the NFL for Sportskeeda, he now works as an Assignment Desk Editor for the LA Sports Report Network which has partnered with the Sports Illustrated FanNation Network, focusing on his expertise in LA sports at the college and professional level.