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Russell Wilson Being Named Steelers Starting QB Led to Lots of Jokes
After a miserable two years with the Denver Broncos, the Pittsburgh Steelers are giving quarterback Russell Wilson another chance.
On Wednesday, the Steelers named Wilson their starting quarterback for the team's opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The nine-time Pro Bowler started 15 games for the Broncos in 2023, throwing 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions but failing to show enough to save his job.
At this stage of his career, Wilson—once one of the league's most reliable signal-callers with the Seattle Seahawks—has evolved into a bit of a meme. When Pittsburgh announced the veteran had won the job, fans reacted with predictable irreverence.
Coach Tomlin has named Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/REWKkybpNo
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 28, 2024
Neither Wilson nor now-backup Justin Fields struck NFL observers as an awe-inspiring option.
https://t.co/9tpBF2R8WX pic.twitter.com/1MwLlYUsFu
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) August 28, 2024
Some saw minimal difference between the two players at this stage of their careers.
https://t.co/EqVLPGbVH0 pic.twitter.com/KM3dSy4NGD
— Ghost of Whip (@GhostofWhip) August 28, 2024
It does not seem out of the question that the Steelers will finish under .500 this year, many implied or said outright.
https://t.co/lzKXtarrzX pic.twitter.com/dQPPnpQfQh
— Bryce Mitchell (@bmitchell1810) August 28, 2024
On the flip side, some insisted the quarterback "competition" was never really a competition to begin with.
https://t.co/6Fk60fH5R9 pic.twitter.com/h5UtKULNr5
— Frick (@joefrk) August 28, 2024
All told, excitement appears to be lacking around the Steel City.
https://t.co/uFuhS6M0bi pic.twitter.com/XfyN9YZeRz
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) August 28, 2024
Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .