Tag: Russell Wilson

2024 NFL draft: Steelers open to taking a quarterback

WIth three rental quarterbacks on the roster, the team could draft a new signal caller this year.

In our latest Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft, we speculated that the Steelers could trade newly-acquired quarterback Justin Fields in a draft-day deal with the Denver Broncos to help build this team up at other spots.

For some, this might seem far-fetched but after listening to general manager Omar Khan speak to the media on Monday, this might not be such a stretch after all.

Khan was honest about the potential future of Fields with the team and that the team is open to the idea of drafting a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft.

“There’s some good players there, and I wouldn’t close the door on anything,” Khan said. “There’s an opportunity to improve that room. Obviously, we’ll look at it. We have three guys that are on one-year deals and we have to be open to it.”

The Steelers are unlikely to give Fields his fifth-year option, especially given they also need to decide on running back Najee Harris as well as the fact that Russell Wilson is the starting quarterback this season.

We are all for the Steelers adding a quarterback in the second or third round this year even if they don’t trade away Fields. Poor planning by the Steelers toward the end of Ben Roethlisberger’s career has been haunting them so we are glad to hear them thinking more proactively.

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Broncos trade late-round pick to Jets for QB Zach Wilson

The Broncos are trading a 6th-round pick to the Jets in exchange for QB Zach Wilson and a 7th-round pick.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to trade a sixth-round draft pick (No. 203) to the New York Jets in exchange for quarterback Zach Wilson and a seventh-round pick (No. 256), according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The compensation makes it a low-risk move for the Broncos. At worst, they got a backup quarterback by dropping from the sixth to the seventh round. At best, they got a young quarterback who still has potential to improve.

Wilson (6-2, 214 pounds) entered the league as the second overall pick out of BYU in the 2021 NFL draft. He started 33 games in New York, completing 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards 23 touchdowns against 25 interceptions. The Jets will now move forward with Aaron Rodgers.

Wilson is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. Before the trade, he was set to have a salary cap hit of $11.18 million in 2024. The Jets agreed to split his guaranteed camp roster bonus ($4.39 million), according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It remains to be seen how all of the financial details will break down, but Denver won’t have to pay all of the QB’s contract.

Wilson (24) will join a Broncos quarterback room that already features Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. Denver coach Sean Payton said earlier this offseason that Stidham will get an opportunity to compete for the starting job this summer.

It remains to be seen if the Broncos will still select a rookie quarterback in the NFL draft later this week. Denver holds eight draft picks, including the 12th overall pick in the first round on Thursday evening.

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Sean Payton comments on QB height ahead of NFL draft

“I think oftentimes, these guys are seeing through lanes, not necessarily over them,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of short quarterbacks.

As the Denver Broncos and coach Sean Payton prepare for the 2024 NFL draft, the heights of quarterbacks in this year’s class is one of the many measurements the team will discuss on draft night.

The top quarterback prospects are Caleb Williams (6-1), Jayden Daniels (6-4), Drake Maye (6-4), J.J. McCarthy (6-3), Bo Nix (6-2), Michael Penix (6-3), Spencer Rattler (6-1) and Michael Pratt (6-3).

All of them are notably taller than Russell Wilson (5-11), who played under Payton last year, and Drew Brees (6-0), who won a Super Bowl with Payton.

“Quarterbacks who are not as tall and are not the prototype — generally speaking, it may vary depending on how teams value prototype heights, but 6-2 may be a starting point,” Payton said in February. “As a coordinator, I had Kerry Collins, who was 6-5, Quincy Carter [6-2], who was built differently, [Tony] Romo [6-2], [Drew] Bledsoe [6-5], [Vinnie] Testaverde [6-5] and then Drew [Brees] for a long time.

“There was an evolution with Drew. I don’t know that we set out to go in a direction relative to the makeup of our offensive line, but he was someone that was extremely athletic in the pocket. He was a very good foot athlete.”

Payton said the Saints had two “really good guards” in Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks who helped Brees climb the pocket and find throwing lanes. Payton has coached QBs of various heights and he knows how to help create throwing those lanes.

Whether the Broncos land a tall quarterback or a shorter prospect, Payton said it’s Denver’s job to set them up for success.

“I do think part of our jobs is to build around the strength of your players,” Payton said. “Even this year, what are the things that we feel like our receivers do well, that ‘Russ’ does well and that the running backs [do well]? That’s our job. And so our offense — and when I say our, [I mean] wherever I’ve been — it has been kind of an evolution of starting with the ingredients we have then building around them. So I think there’s still some things that are paramount today.

“At some point, teams are going to make you win from the pocket. We can rush a certain way to keep a quarterback from escaping. We’re going to have to be — wherever you’re at — proficient enough on third down to take a snap, find a throw and protect that spot that you’re referencing, regardless of height. I think oftentimes, these guys are seeing through lanes, not necessarily over them. Certainly for some quarterbacks, that can be a little bit more challenging.”

The first round of the NFL draft will be held in Detroit on Thursday evening. The Broncos hold eight picks this year, including No. 12 overall.

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Broncos WR Courtland Sutton fails to report for voluntary workouts

Courtland Sutton might be the answer to the Steelers’ wide receiver problems.

As of now, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have multiple positions of need, including a starting wide receiver and starting center. Pittsburgh hasn’t shown much interest in any centers but the front office has been very active when it comes to wide receivers.

With the news that Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton isn’t attending workouts, it got us thinking about how great he would fit if the Steelers traded for him.

Sutton spent the last two seasons catching passes from new Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson and was one of his favorite targets. Sutton caught 10 touchdown passes last season and still has plenty of game left in him to start opposite George Pickens.

The Steelers signed Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency after trading away Diontae Johnson, but none of them inspire confidence for the present, much less the future.

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Grade the Steelers 2024 offseason ahead of the 2024 NFL draft

Cast your vote and tell us how you thnk the Steelers have done so far this offseason.

2024 has been one of the busiest and most interesting offseasons in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. General Manager Omar Khan continues to be aggressive, wheeling and dealing to rebuild several positional units. The highlights have centered on the team going from Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky to Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen as the new quarterback depth chart.

Having said all that, Pittsburgh is 10 days away from the 2024 NFL draft with several starting spots unsettled. The team currently needs a starting center and wide receiver as well as an upgrade at offensive tackle and possibly cornerback.

It is hard to imagine the draft is going to yield every position the Steelers need and there will need to be more work done heading into offseason workouts and training camp.

But as of now, what grade do you give Khan and the Steelers front office for everything they have done prior to the draft?

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Colin Cowherd says he’s been told the Commanders are taking Jayden Daniels

And tomorrow he will say it’s Drake Maye.

Another day, another prediction for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL draft.

On Monday’s edition of “The Herd,” Colin Cowherd said he’s been told the Commanders are taking Daniels with the second overall pick in this month’s NFL draft.

“Alright, I have been told the Washington Commanders, right now, as of today, would choose Jayden Daniels, LSU quarterback, as their top pick,” Cowherd said.

“In going back and forth, I’m told they believe he’s more consistent than Drake Maye. He is quicker, more mobile than Drake Maye. And offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who will have some say in this, has had multiple quarterbacks in his college and pro coaching career that play like him. Quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels are important; they are very hypermobile, and that matters a lot. Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, as you’re trying to figure out the sophisticated NFL pocket, and all it asks, it gives you a couple of years to pick up first downs and move the sticks with your feet. Even Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the light didn’t truly go on until year three. But the ability to move, Washington has a bad offensive line, pick up first downs with those feet as you’re learning the game is important.”

Cowherd goes on and on about why Daniels should be the pick. But wait, I thought you were told he was the pick? So, were you told he was the pick, or are you saying that’s who Washington should pick?

Cowherd repeats himself multiple times in the segment, which you can view below.

So, unless Washington general manager Adam Peters told Cowherd that Daniels was the pick, this is another case of someone throwing something against the wall, hoping it sticks.

 

How much better off are the Steelers with QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields?

The Steelers 2024 season will look vastly different than it has in years past.

This coming season will look vastly different for the Pittsburgh Steelers — even more so than it did the season after Ben Roethlisberger retired.

After firing Matt Canada and replacing him with Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh completely dismantled its quarterback room this offseason. Everyone was out: First, Mitch Trubisky, then Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett. They were replaced by two guys on opposite ends of the spectrum in nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and work-in-progress Justin Fields.

Will the Steelers be better off from a record standpoint merely because they upgraded at the quarterback position?

The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly doesn’t believe it’s as simple as that.

“Some look at the 10 wins last year and just automatically say it can be 12 in 2024,” Kaboly wrote in a recent mailbag. “But what about the games they won that they easily could have lost? Cleveland, Baltimore, Green Bay and Tennessee are four games off the top of my head that the Steelers easily could have lost.”

Except for the Week 16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, each of Pittsburgh’s 10 wins was by a touchdown or less.

Of course, as key as quarterback play is, football is a team sport, and any number of aspects can determine the outcome.

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George Pickens not among Steelers pass catchers that joined Russell Wilson for throwing drills

Steelers WR George Pickens was among the missing when players met up with Russell Wilson for throwing drills.

On a recent episode of Around the 412, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth revealed that some receivers joined Russell Wilson in San Diego for throwing drills.

With the team’s offseason workouts beginning April 15, Wilson wanted to get a jumpstart on building a rapport with his pass-catchers. Only their current No. 1 was not among them.

Freiermuth shared that he, Calvin Austin III and new Steeler Van Jefferson went out west — but no George Pickens. He didn’t single him out, but the fact that he wasn’t there is concerning.

Pickens may have had a good reason for not being there, but he should’ve made every effort to be. The two have zero experience together, and building chemistry should be a top priority. You’d think he’d be eager to meet him and get something going.

In Arthur Smith‘s offense, Pickens could have a breakout year. Smith loves drawing up sideline pass plays, which should feed into Pickens’ love for showing off his acrobatic athleticism. But they’ll have to wait to see what that looks like.

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Who should be the Steelers starting QB be in 2024?

Cast your vote and tell us who you think should be the starting quarterback this season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers front office had one big job this offseason. Rebuild the quarterback depth chart. And boy howdy did they do it. Out are Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky. In are Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen.

For the Steelers, they haven’t come right out and said Wilson was promised the starting job before joining the team but it is implied. But Fields is an incredible talent and we have no idea how quickly he will integrate himself into Arthur Smith’s offense. In fact, the same can be said about Wilson.

With all things being equal, who do you believe should be the starting quarterback this season? Wilson was a shadow of his former self in Denver but most believe he has better football in him. And Fields is a remarkable athlete who has shined in the NFL when he operated in the right system.

Cast your vote and tell us not who you think will start at quarterback this season but who should.

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Here’s why ex-Broncos QB Russell Wilson was paid an extra $40,018 for 2023 season

The NFL’s performance-based pay program gave QB Russell Wilson an extra $40,018 for playing 938 snaps in 2023.

Denver Broncos fans might feel that quarterback Russell Wilson was overpaid for his two-year stint with the team, but the NFL begs to differ.

Each offseason, the NFL hands out performance-based pay bonuses that essentially reward players for outperforming their contracts. The highest earners in the program are often every-down starters who are still on a rookie contract.

A brief explanation from the league: “Under the Performance-Based Pay program, a fund is created and used as a supplemental form of player compensation based upon a comparison of playing time to salary. Players become eligible to receive a bonus distribution in any regular season in which they play at least one official down. In general, players with higher playtime percentages and lower salaries benefit most from the pool.”

Denver guard Quinn Meinerz ($747,505) and pass rusher Jonathon Cooper ($738,916) received the largest bonuses among Broncos players in 2023, but they were not alone. A total of 64 players received playing time bonuses, including Wilson.

Wilson received a $40,018 check — this time from the NFL, not Denver’s front office — as part of the performance-based pay program. Wilson started 15 games in 2023 and played 938 snaps.

Jarrett Stidham, who only started two games and played 134 snaps in 2023, received a $41,814 bonus, a reflection of players on lower salaries getting a bigger reward for their playing time.

Five years ago, former Broncos backup quarterback Chad Kelly received a $354 bonus in 2019 after he appeared in one game for a kneel-down.

Wilson received $28 million from Denver last year and he will earn another $37.79 million from the Broncos in 2024 despite no longer being on the team. Playing nearly 1,000 snaps last year earned him an extra $40,000 on his way out of town.

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