This season was all the time going to be attention-grabbing for Russell Wilson. Regardless of being probably the greatest quarterbacks within the NFL throughout his profession, a tough stint with the Denver Broncos destroyed Wilson’s worth. He signed a minimal contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent. He hoped to rewrite the narrative surrounding him, and he was, however the previous few video games have introduced his talents into query once more. Ben Roethlisberger believes Wilson has earned a wholesome extension from the Steelers.
“Yeah, I feel so,” Roethlisberger mentioned Monday on his podcast, Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger. “I feel he’s performed effectively, particularly in that stretch within the center. Clearly, he hasn’t performed effectively the final couple video games.
“Solely a type of was with George [Pickens], which is a giant deal for Russ. To me, Russ is a feast-or-famine man. He’s throwing actually quick passes, or he’s throwing the deep ball. He’s bought one of many prettiest and greatest deep balls within the recreation.”
Roethlisberger’s evaluation is generally proper. At instances, Wilson has carried out a wonderful job concentrating on the center of the sphere, however that also isn’t his energy. He’s at his greatest throwing the ball deep down the sideline, and that’s been on show a number of instances this yr.
Nevertheless, it’s attention-grabbing to say if these abilities are sufficient to warrant giving Wilson an extension. It relies upon extra on the form of deal the Steelers give him. Throughout that very same podcast, Roethlisberger outlined the form of contract he thinks the Steelers will give Wilson.
“You’re not gonna be capable to give Russ, I don’t assume you are able to do a one-year. If I had been a betting man, I’d say if the Steelers actually wished Russ again, I assume it will be like a 3 [year] for $100 [million], form of what Baker [Mayfield] bought in Tampa.”
The framework for Mayfield’s deal is commonly used to stipulate what Wilson might get. It makes some sense. Mayfield’s profession as a starter appeared to be over, however with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he revived his profession. In return, they gave him a pleasant extension. Nevertheless, there are some key variations between Mayfield and Wilson.
The largest holdup to giving Wilson that form of deal is his age. He’s 36, whereas Mayfield hasn’t even turned 30 but. There’s extra threat in investing that a lot money and time right into a quarterback of Wilson’s age, particularly one together with his play type. Time has already robbed him of a lot of his athleticism. How priceless will he be if his arm energy goes quickly and he loses that vaunted deep ball?
Roethlisberger is right that Wilson has proved he can nonetheless be a starter on this league. Throughout his first few video games with the Steelers, he actually shined. Nevertheless, issues have been uglier over the previous few weeks. Particularly, Wilson has given away extra pricey turnovers. That doesn’t equal profitable soccer.
Regardless of that, it wouldn’t be loopy to see Wilson get the form of deal Roethlisberger described. He has performed effectively, and it appears like he’s actually built-in himself with the Steelers’ tradition. Wilson has given them the management they’ve been looking for since Roethlisberger retired.
Roethlisberger finishes this thought by summarizing what he thinks the Steelers ought to do at quarterback.
“You want a quarterback on this league to win. I’d do every little thing I might to attempt to signal Russ to a two-year deal. And I’d attempt to maintain Justin [Fields] as effectively. This may be my want record. I’d try to maintain each of them. I’d let Russ have the job, however allow them to compete and let Justin proceed to be taught.”
That does sound like a really favorable consequence for the Steelers. It does appear unlikely, however it will be good. A two-year deal feels safer for Wilson, particularly with Fields nonetheless on the group. Nevertheless, it’s unclear how a lot cash Fields will command in the marketplace and if he needs an opportunity to be a starter elsewhere.
It’s a difficult scenario to stability, and the Steelers possible won’t fear about it till the season ends. In the event that they play effectively of their remaining regular-season recreation and Wilson leads them to a playoff victory, he might earn a a lot larger contract.
