Steelers Podcasts & Video

Locked On Steelers: Will Russell Wilson Be a Locker Room Fit?

Published

2 months ago

March 12, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Russell Wilson

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) huddles up teammates prior to an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have added veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to their locker room, with Omar Khan making his first big splash of free agency early on Monday morning.

The one-year deal comes with nearly no cost and no risk to the Steelers, as Wilson will play under the veteran minimum contract in 2024 while the Denver Broncos pay the rest of his salary.

But the one risk might be the locker room and culture fit between Wilson and the Steelers. Some of Wilson’s former teammates with the Seattle Seahawks have not had flattering things to say about him over the years. His time in Denver was marked by drama, with tales about his personal coach, his parking spot, his office space and his contentious relationship with head coach Sean Payton dominating the headlines, right up until he was benched by Payton for refusing to re-work his contract — while the Broncos were still in the playoff hunt.

So are the Steelers getting a problem child? Or was the drama around Wilson a product of dysfunction in his previous environment?

Alan Saunders joined Chris Carter on the Locked On Podcast to break down the Wilson fit, based on his reporting from the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Alan and Chris also discussed the otherwise-quiet first day of free agency for Khan, and some fits that remain on the board for the Steelers at positions like center and linebacker.