Steelers Teammates Should Be Excited To Win With Russell Wilson At The Helm: 'He Has That Fire In His Eyes'

The Pittsburgh Steelers are eager to see what version of Russell Wilson they will get during their 2024 campaign. Thanks to the Denver Broncos having no desire whatsoever for Wilson to remain in Denver, Pittsburgh will only pay the NFL veteran minimum of $1.2 million for his services. While the low cost makes the move less of a risk, there is the question of whether Wilson is that missing puzzle piece the Steelers are hoping he is.

Wilson had two seasons with the Broncos, and while 2022 was forgettable, Wilson proved in 2023 that he still has the ability to lead a competitive offense. LeSean McCoy was on FOX Sports' Speak on Tuesday and was asked by Emmanuel Acho whether he thought the expectations were too high for Wilson and the Steelers.

"I don't think so. I mean, we're asking Russ is to go there and be an efficient quarterback. That's what he's been his whole career, aside from that one year in Denver where they had a dysfunctional organization, right? For the last couple years, they don't win at all... so I don't think the pressure is too much for Russ. Going there, we got great defense, you know what to do with that, you've been there. Solid special teams, you've been there, you had that before. Go in there and just play ball, they have a good running game, you've had that before. And everything he's had before, he's done well with. It's almost the same in Pittsburgh, so I think the team, the players, you be reading... he's still determined, he wants to win, he has that fire in his eyes again, Eye of the Tiger, Rocky Balboa... If he can just keep that fire up, keep the guys -- being the leader that he's always been, they're gonna be fine. They're gonna be happy to have Russ."

Wilson came to Denver with incredible hype, due in no small part to the price the Broncos paid to get him. Between the dysfunction that McCoy mentioned and Denver's inability to bring out the best in Wilson, his first season with the Broncos was disappointing at best. Wilson only managed 16 touchdowns during that 2022 season, along with 11 interceptions and being sacked more than any season in his career (55). While Wilson improved in 2023 (26 touchdowns and eight interceptions), it was far below the expectations the Broncos had.

For the Steelers, though, having a quarterback who can produce and protect the ball is more important than ever. Kenny Pickett proved to be a mistake, and after two seasons and only 13 touchdowns, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. A quarterback room that includes Wilson and former Chicago Bears' first-round pick, Justin Fields, should result in, at the very least, an offense that is able to get out of its own way. However, if Wilson really is back with a fire, as McCoy said, then the Steelers have every reason to prepare for a satisfying 2024.

Steelers Surround Wilson Well

While there is certainly excitement regarding Wilson's signing with the Steelers, it comes with the understanding that he isn't the focus. Pittsburgh boasts one of the NFL's most talented defenses and the most expensive, which is exactly what any veteran quarterback could want. In 2023, the defense was often hung out to dry by a struggling offense void of creativity, but if Wilson and the offense can give the defense a breather and some help here and there, it could prove to be a very profitable relationship between the Steelers and their quarterback.

TJ Watt was snubbed for 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, but that doesn't take anything away from what he brings to the team. Wilson brings a new kind of leadership to the Steelers' offense, and it could pair very well with how Watt commands the defense. With a talented squad ready to win, Wilson seems to be in the perfect situation for himself; all that's left is to see what kind of football the 35-year-old quarterback has left to give. The Steelers know that if it comes close to what he has accomplished before, the team will be right there, ready to win with him.

How many games will Russell Wilson win for the Steelers in 2024?