Stephen A. Smith and Dan Orlovsky have differing views of the place the Pittsburgh Steelers ought to go to search out their QB of subsequent 12 months. For Smith, staying in-house with Russell Wilson is on the desk. For Orlovsky, take the Etch-a-Sketch and wipe it clear.
Debating the purpose on Thursday’s First Take, Smith supplied grace for Wilson’s efficiency that contributed to the Steelers’ five-game shedding streak.
“I don’t suppose they have been as happy with [Justin Fields] as they have been with Russell,” Smith informed the present. “I additionally suppose that Russell will get a reprieve to some extent since you acknowledge what an issue George Pickens was. To not point out the truth that who’s your professional quantity two if you happen to’re the Pittsburgh Steelers as effectively.”
Lack of weapons was a priority for Pittsburgh all through the offseason and throughout the common season. The Steelers discovered nobody to switch Diontae Johnson after buying and selling him to the Carolina Panthers in March of 2024. Rookie Roman Wilson spent many of the season injured and free agent signings of Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller predictably supplied little. Pickens missed three video games with a hamstring harm, was vulnerable to getting offended mid-game, and the Steelers tried to make a slew of recent items slot in one 12 months. It was asking rather a lot particularly contemplating Wilson missed almost all the summer time with a calf harm after pushing a sled.
Smith wasn’t passionate about Wilson because the Steelers’ QB however seen him as the very best of mediocre choices.
“So due to the query mark surrounding different folks alongside together with your potential to exit and get anyone higher or lack thereof, I feel they find yourself sticking with Russell Wilson. As a result of how a lot is it actually going to value you?”
Wilson nonetheless might value the Steelers a good quantity. Current PFF projections tabbed him to make $35 million yearly and even coming slightly below that might require an enormous contract. Beginning quarterbacks aren’t low-cost and even backups receives a commission effectively. Gardner Minshew signed a deal that netted him $12.5 million per 12 months with the Las Vegas Raiders final 12 months, initially successful the beginning job earlier than being benched mid-season.
Orlovsky proposed a brand new plan, one which doesn’t embrace Wilson or Fields.
“Someone that’s not of their constructing is the reply for me,” he mentioned of the Steelers’ QB state of affairs. “It’s gotta be somebody totally different. As a result of if it was gonna be Justin, which I advocated for, then performed him this 12 months and found out precisely what he’s. Learn how to construct off of him, all that stuff. They didn’t do this. So he’s nonetheless a large query mark.
“Russell performed effectively this 12 months. However you understand what you’re gonna be with Russ. You’re gonna be 10-7, 9-8. You get knocked out of the playoffs first spherical if you happen to get in.”
It’s a good level. Wilson has a ceiling that will decrease as he ages, particularly if his mobility continues reducing. Fields presents upside however might finish in the identical spot if he leads an offense solely able to scoring 20 factors per recreation. To Orlovsky’s view, that’s the explanation to start out anew. The issue with that plan is a scarcity of choices. Free company presents little, basically Sam Darnold. The draft class is weak and Pittsburgh’s unlikely to make a significant play for Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shadeur Sanders.
It’s why Pittsburgh feels caught. Largely as a result of they’re. Wilson, Fields, or Door quantity three, there’s no magic wand or slam-dunk answer. Till the Steelers discover that, which in all probability gained’t come till 2026 on the earliest, they gained’t escape the outlet they’re in.
