Without ‘Any Competition’ From Kenny Pickett, Russell Wilson Will Be Arthur Smith’s Preferred QB1 at Steelers as Per Ex-Broncos Star Mark Schlereth

Russell Wilson finally is at the place where he will arguably be valued as the starter! During Wilson’s second-year Denver Broncos stint, coach Sean Payton wanted to “rebuild” his team. The major move toward rebuilding was done by benching the quarterback for the final two games of the last season.

On March 4th, they officially announced Wilson’s release, but the quarterback quickly shifted gears just a week later by signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, with the Steelers, the concern is, who is the top preference for coaches Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith. Especially when their quarterback Kenny Pickett is on the roster. Former Broncos guard Mark Schlereth has the answer.

Wilson or Pickett: Who will lead the Steelers in the 2024 season?

In a latest episode of the Rich Eisen Show, FOX Sports NFL analyst and former Broncos’ guard, Mark Schlereth, joined the podcast on Monday, to talk about who’s going to be the week 1 starter for Pittsburgh this year. Schlereth expressed, “I think it’ll be Russell Wilson, I just don’t think there’ll be a competition there but I think Russell based on and this really goes back to my belief on Arthur Smith and what he did in Tennessee with Ryan (led to career-best numbers with 216 TDs in 11 seasons), I think that’s the direction they’ll go. So I think Russell will win that competition.”

While acknowledging that there will be a competition between Kenny Pickett and Russell Wilson, in terms of preference for the franchise, Schlereth highlighted Wilson’s ability to excel in an offense built around the run game, multiple tight ends, and heavy personnel. He further anticipated a legitimate competition, but saw Wilson’s extensive ball prowess and fitting ability in the offensive schemes as factors that could give him the edge over Pickett.

Besides this, the $1.2 million worth quarterback for Steelers could be the potential starter for the team, because of some other reasons as well.

Russell Wilson has luck with him!

As per reports, adding Russell Wilson means that Kenny Pickett will be shifted into a backup role. Many analysts speculate that Wilson’s 1-year entry and Mason Rudolph & Mitchell Trubisky’s exit, itself tells Pickett isn’t well-prepared for his next stint as he might be in the recovery process of his ankle injury of 2023. Furthermore, the arrival of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and adding Wilson in the team, indicates the 35-year-old’s starting position.

Furthermore, despite Pickett’s having two years left in his contract and being the first-ever draft pick under Steelers’ GM Omar Khan, Wilson’s experience and nine Pro-bowl selections, albeit with the Hawks, position him as the likely preferred choice.

The sequence of events involving Wilson has brought about significant changes in Pittsburgh: the exits of Rudolph & Trubisky, the hiring of Smith, Pickett’s uncertainty stemming from injury, and Wilson’s contract advantage for the yellow and black team, making him the most attractive prospect for the team.

So, there is a high possibility that the team might give Wilson the chance as a starter to analyze his performance and coordination with the team.

Read more: Faced Similar Fate as Russell Wilson, Ex-Pro Bowl QB ‘Hates It For Kenny Pickett’ But Lauds Steelers’ $1.2M Steal