The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking at all of their options for quarterback depth, as Kenny Pickett is the only signal-caller officially on the roster as the new league year approaches. The organization has been linked to many quarterbacks, most notably Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Omar Khan previously stated that Pickett will have to compete for the starting job, so trading for Fields might be out of the picture. Wilson, however, could still be an option, and a cheap one, considering the amount of money that the Denver Broncos have to pay him in 2024.

Despite that message from Khan, there is no guarantee that the Steelers will go through with that plan. Gerry Dulac appeared on JRSportBrief and spoke about that possibility and claimed that the Steelers need to guarantee a true quarterback competition to land Wilson.

“Would they bring [Russell Wilson] in and say, ‘Okay, you’re the starter?’ No, but I don’t think there’s any question: for him to come [to Pittsburgh], he would have to have some guarantee that, at the very least, ‘We’re going to let you compete for this job, and if you’re the best [quarterback], you will be the guy.'”

After a disastrous run in Denver, Wilson wants to prove that he can still be a capable quarterback at the NFL level. He even claimed that he wants to keep playing long after 2024, but to prove himself, he will have to earn back a starting job. If he can take over the top spot on the depth chart and lead the Steelers to the playoffs, he can get another lucrative contract, whether it’s in Pittsburgh or somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Pickett is also looking to improve on a rough season of his own. He lost the starting job to Mason Rudolph at the end of 2023, and he allegedly did not take it well. It’s unlikely that he takes a potential quarterback competition with a positive mindset, but there is only one thing he can do to come out as the starter: dominate the competition and prove himself.

What If The Steelers Give The Starting Role To Wilson?

If Wilson is signed and he beats out Pickett during training camp and preseason, Pickett will probably be out of Pittsburgh sooner rather than later. Even though this would only be Pickett’s third year, benching him before Week 1 would prove that he is not the Steelers’ answer long-term, and the team might try to get whatever they can for him via trade, similar to what the San Francisco 49ers did with Trey Lance.

With the lack of depth in the quarterback room, the Steelers could also use a day three pick on a project quarterback to sit behind the starter. If Wilson wins, the rookie will try to develop behind Wilson and take the starting job for himself by 2026. Even if Pickett wins the competition, the rookie would try to work his way up to the starting role over time.

Steelers Signing Wilson But Starting Pickett Week 1 Leads To Interesting Situation

If Pickett comes out on top, Wilson will just have to sit and wait for his opportunity, which may or may not come. He could continue to develop under a new system that suits his strengths more. The Steelers will also have to decide on Pickett’s fifth-year option after the 2024 season, so him starting and playing well would have a major impact on that.

It’s hard to believe that the Steelers would sell Wilson on coming to Pittsburgh without giving him the idea that he will have the opportunity to completely resurrect his career. It would be a very bad look for the franchise is that ended up being the case.