Let Russ cook? More like let Russ look in the mirror. This is the sentiment Mark Schlereth expressed on The Rich Eisen Show, setting the tone for a scorching critique of Russell Wilson‘s ambitions. The former Broncos quarterback, now donning the black and gold of Pittsburgh, finds himself at a crossroads that could rival the complexity of the Steel City’s infamous road network.

Schlereth didn’t mince words when discussing Wilson’s outlook. “I think ultimately for a player, it’s important to know your strengths, but it’s probably more important to know your weaknesses,” he said. “I think that’s been one of Russell Wilson’s biggest weaknesses–his inability to recognize his own weaknesses and to know what he can and can’t do.”

Wilson’s struggles in Denver have cast a long shadow over his once-stellar career. After nine Pro Bowl appearances with the Seahawks, including two Super Bowl trips, his tenure with the Broncos fizzled out fast. In 2023, he managed 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns, but couldn’t prevent his benching and eventual release.

Now in Pittsburgh, Wilson faces an uphill battle. The AFC North is a gauntlet, with Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson as divisional rivals. Yet, that might not faze Wilson. On Brandon Marshall’s “I Am Athlete” podcast, he boldly proclaimed his goal this year February: “For the next five years, I want to win two [Super Bowls].”

This lofty ambition has drawn comparisons to Tom Brady‘s late-career resurgence. Skip Bayless of Undisputed even suggested Wilson could still be in his prime at 35, citing Brady’s success at 45. “I’m gonna put in front of his age, 35, I’m gonna put an only 35 because in this age we live in, after what we saw Tom Brady do at 45,” Bayless said back in March.

The Wilson-Brady parallel isn’t as far-fetched as a Steelers fan wearing Ravens purple. Both quarterbacks have shown exceptional dedication to their craft. Wilson’s work ethic is well-documented, and he’s far from washed up. His 2023 stats (26 TDs, 8 INTs) prove he can still sling it.

However, Schlereth argues that Wilson needs to embrace his strengths and accept his limitations. “Russell Wilson can’t play the game he thinks he can play,” Schlereth said on The Stinking Truth Podcast last month. He pointed out Wilson’s tendency to hold on to the ball too long, resulting in a high sack rate of 9.7% during his Denver years. “Historically, you look at just the amount of sacks he takes. Probably on average he’s taking 45 sacks a year. Think about how that limits you as an offense,” Schlereth added.

Wilson’s style contrasts sharply with Brady’s late-career evolution. Brady became a master of quick releases and pocket presence, while Wilson still relies heavily on his mobility and off-script playmaking. This disconnect between self-perception and reality is what Schlereth labeled as “toxic positivity.”

The inner circle loop of Russell Wilson

Schlereth did not stop at lamenting Wilson’s on-field performance. He also criticized the quarterback’s supporting cast, indicating that it is time for a change. In the words of Schlereth, “I think when you’re delusional, you think you can point the finger at eight million different places that say ‘This is why this happened. This is why’. If that means eliminating some people in your circle that tell you things that are just not true, I think that’s a part of what he needs to do in my opinion to be successful.”

This call might be an extremely necessary reality check beyond Wilson’s personal camp. The Steelers’ new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, could just as easily help unlock Wilson’s potential. As noted by Schlereth, “I love Arthur Smith as a coordinator. I love his ability to run the football and some of the things he wants to do in the play-action game, and I think that part is a good fit.”

Brady Quinn believes there’s a reason for optimism, though. “I think he’s in for a big year. I personally feel like, after this year, we’ll see the older version of Russell Wilson and the success that we saw during his time with Seattle,” Quinn told on CBS Sports HQ this month.

However, there are some hurdles that stand in the way of Wilson’s road to redemption. There is potential competition in Justin Fields whom they acquired via trade. On “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” today, T.J. Houshmandzadeh threw down the gauntlet, thus saying, “I can see Justin Fields start eight, nine games this season.”

Nevertheless, as Wilson gets comfortable into his new home at Pittsburgh Steelers, both fans and the rest of the football world watch nervously. Can he silence his doubters by leading Steelers back to glory? Is it possible that such fantasies of Brady-like dominance only end up as mere reverie? According to Schlereth “At some point, you got to say, ‘Hey man, I might not be X, Y, and Z, but I’m still A, B, and C, and A, B, and C can still win games.'” Wilson has to choose whether he will accept what is happening or write a new chapter in Steelers history–only time will tell.