The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in a surprising position after the 2023 season ended. Rumors swirled about the possibility of the team seeking help at the quarterback position, but few expected them to make a move.

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Steelers' Justin Fields watches Russell Wilson throw the ball.

In a shocking twist, the Steelers signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. They then traded Kenny Pickett after he requested a move, and subsequently acquired Justin Fields. This marked the end for Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph, leaving the Steelers with two starting-caliber quarterbacks: Wilson and Fields. Wilson is set as the starter, and fans are eager to see what he has left in the tank.

The Steelers believe this is the best quarterback situation they’ve had since the days of Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers fans have been curious about Roethlisberger's take on the new quarterback landscape. On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, he shared a humorous message for the Denver Broncos—the team that paid a substantial amount to let the Steelers sign Wilson at the veteran minimum.

"Thank you, Denver, for paying," Roethlisberger said. "Denver paid Russ like $38 million to go away. Which is, ok, nine-time Pro Bowler, I don't know his stats, nine-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl. And we're like, ok, we'll take him. Thank you."

Roethlisberger elaborated to his cohosts about how the Broncos were essentially paying for Wilson to play in Pittsburgh. Once seen as an elite quarterback, Wilson's reputation took a hit during his two seasons with the Broncos, illustrating how quickly perceptions of a player can shift.

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Former Seahawks QB Russell Wilson celebrates a Super Bowl victory.

Before his time with Denver, Wilson was dominating the league with the Seattle Seahawks. He earned nine Pro Bowl selections and won a Super Bowl during his tenure with the Seahawks. Now with a lot to prove in Pittsburgh, Wilson has Roethlisberger excited to see what he can achieve. Roethlisberger also highlighted a key matchup he’s particularly eager to watch.

"He goes Week 2 back to Denver. It’s going to be some really cool stuff. I’m excited for the season."

The Steelers have two notable revenge games on their 2024 schedule. In Week 1, they will face off against the Atlanta Falcons, the former team of new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Then, in Week 2, Wilson will go up against the Broncos, the team that is covering most of his salary for the season.

Wilson was often used as a scapegoat during his time in Denver. Despite high expectations, the Broncos underperformed, and as is often the case, the quarterback received much of the blame. In his first season with Denver, Wilson's performance was disappointing. He threw for just 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading the team to only four wins. This led to significant criticism.

The 2023 season showed improvement for Wilson. He threw for 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Although the Broncos still struggled, winning just seven games, Wilson’s production was markedly better. He was eventually benched after refusing to renegotiate his contract, which is why the Broncos are effectively paying most of his salary while he plays for the Steelers in 2024.

Steelers' Russell Wilson Looking For Redemption In The Steel City

It's a curious situation for Wilson. Although he may not admit it, he’s likely frustrated by how things unfolded in Denver. Known for his positive outlook, Wilson remains focused and determined to prove himself in Pittsburgh. His primary goal is to win a Super Bowl for the Steelers.

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Former Broncos QB Russell Wilson walks off the fields after a bad game.

Opinions vary on what Wilson still has to offer. While some pundits are skeptical, Steelers fans are hopeful that Wilson can bring the same level of production he showed in the 2023 season to Pittsburgh. If he can, the Steelers could be a very strong team. 

Roethlisberger’s take on the situation adds an interesting perspective. Fans will be eager to see if Wilson can have the last laugh after Week 2.

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