Russell Wilson is not the most popular figure these days. The 35-year-old endured criticism after his underwhelming performances for the Denver Broncos, leading to the franchise parting ways with him. Wilson is currently a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers squad and is optimistic about having a good 2024 season. But, even before “Mr. Unlimited” performs on the field, he suffers another blow.

On June 18, 2024, media personalities Pablo Iglesias and Jim Rutledge ranked the five best quarterbacks to don the Wisconsin jersey on ESPN Madison. Before the Seahawks drafted him in the NFL, Russell Wilson played his college football for NC State and Wisconsin. The nine-time Pro-Bowler, who registered 33 touchdowns and 3175 passing yards playing for Wisconsin, surprisingly missed out on the top spot! Instead, it went to Wilson’s former Seahawks offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell.

Darrell Bevell takes the cake against Russell Wilson

During the show, Jim Rutledge and Pablo Iglesias crowned Darrell Bevell the best Wisconsin Badgers football quarterback over Russell Wilson. The current Miami Dolphins coaching staff played five seasons at Wisconsin and had 7429 passing yards with 58 touchdowns. While the stats are not as impressive compared to what Wilson did in a single season, the 1994 Rose Bowl win goes in the 54-year-olds favor. “He is the one that won the Rose Bowl,” said Rutledge.

The presenter continued, “That team, Darrell Bevell, they went out and knocked out UCLA. He is the one that led this resurgent, had a 40-yard dash that took maybe a 100 years to get done. But it was a big play in Badgers’ lore. I honestly make a case for him no. 1.” On Wilson, Jim added, “He had one season, it was a beautiful season, but it’s one season… He didn’t win the Bowl game, yeah it’s gotta go Darrell, he’s no. 1.”

Former Seattle Seahawks OC, Bevell, coached Russell Wilson during his tenure with the team. The duo lifted the Super Bowl XLVIII after demolishing the Broncos 43-8 on February 2, 2014. Although Bevell takes the cake in the Wisconsin QB rankings, he never played in the NFL after remaining undrafted in 1996. Wilson, on the other hand, played for three successful franchises and won copious individual accolades, including the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2020). But none of it would be possible if it wasn’t for his 2011 move to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Badgers saved Wilson’s football career

Russell Wilson started his college career at NC State in 2007 and became a superstar by 2010. While he wanted to return for his final year, the Ohio native was rejected. In his 2016 speech at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the alumnus came clean on his 2011 move to the Badgers for his last collegiate season. Wilson, who stands at 5’11”, was told by the then-NC Wolfpack coach that he had no chance of making it big in the NFL.

“You’re too small. There’s no chance. You’ve got no shot, give it up,” said the coach to Wilson. As they say, the rest is history! The Seahawks picked up the then-young QB in round 3 of the 2012 draft and he entertained the 12s for 10 straight seasons.

As things stand, Russell Wilson will debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 regular season. Critics have already ruled out a comeback from the veteran QB. So the onus will be on the $165 million rich NFL star to prove himself to the fans and, looking at his Hall of Fame-worthy career, he is more than capable of doing so!