Ex-NFL QB Ranks Steelers as Top Russell Wilson Landing Spot

Russ could wind up facing the Broncos in 2024.

Former NFL quarterback David Carr believes Russell Wilson wouldn't hurt for interest on the free-agent market and named six potential destinations for the Denver Broncos' $245 million enigma.

Carr, now an analyst with NFL Network, ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers — the only playoff team on his list — as Wilson's likely top suitor. They were followed by Washington, Tennessee, Chicago, Atlanta, and New England.

The Steelers have a crowded quarterback room right now, with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph in tow. But I suspect Mike Tomlin is not over the moon about any of these options. Pittsburgh would be in a much different situation right now if he were. Tomlin wouldn’t start Rudolph -- who got on a hot streak, but also served as the third-stringer until late in the season and is the only one of the three set to enter free agency this offseason -- over a healthy Pickett if he were happy with his QB1, that’s for sure.

The Steelers have become a vertical passing team since Mike Sullivan took over as offensive play-caller. It's a system in which Rudolph has thrived; consider the deep shot he lofted to George Pickens on a 66-yard score in Week 16. This system would fit Wilson like a glove. Not only can he push the ball vertically, but he can also be the general for a team that is run-centric and has a good defense. It'd be Seattle all over again!

Wilson would need to compete with Pickett (a former first-round pick who, Tomlin says, is still the starter) for the No. 1 job, but I believe that kind of competition would get the most out of him.

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Acquired by Denver in 2022, Wilson is coming off his second season as the club's starter, completing 66.4% of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 15 games. He was benched for the final two weeks due to purported contractual issues; the Broncos, however, insist it was a football-based decision.

Though general manager George Paton last week claimed "the door is open" for Wilson to return, the 35-year-old reportedly expects to be cut in March, before injury provisions in his deal become fully guaranteed, leaving the Broncos on the hook for an unprecedented $85 million in dead money charges.

If released, Wilson would be free to sign with any team of his choosing — including (but not limited to) the Steelers, whom Denver is scheduled to host next season.

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