Steelers’ Russell Wilson Gets Blasted By ESPN Pundit: ' Not Capable Of Revenge'

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant move this offseason by signing former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. This opportunity arose because Wilson's former team, the Denver Broncos, deemed his performance so poor that they were willing to pay him millions just to have him off their roster.

Wilson now joins the Steelers with a massive chip on his shoulder, eager to prove that he remains an elite quarterback in the league. One of the major storylines of the 2023 season was the strained relationship between Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton and Wilson. They reportedly did not get along, and Payton was unhappy with Wilson's performance.

When the Steelers' 2024 schedule was released, it revealed that Wilson would have the chance to face his former team in Week 2 of the regular season. This game has garnered considerable hype, centered around the narrative of Wilson facing off against Payton. However, ESPN pundit Kevin Clark finds the notion of calling this a revenge game for Wilson laughable.

"What does a revenge game mean? A revenge game means, 'I'm trying to get back at a team.' Russell Wilson was given every opportunity… They did a shakedown of him, but he was objectively bad. He was objectively bad enough to say, 'We don't want you to be part of our future.' So that's why they said take less guarantees. And then when they did that, they turned to another quarterback."

The Broncos benched Wilson toward the end of the 2023 season due to his refusal to renegotiate his massive contract. While many believe Wilson performed poorly that year, his stats tell a different story. He passed for 3,070 yards, completed 66.4% of his passes, and threw for 26 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. These numbers would have been a significant boost for the Steelers in 2023.

Despite this, Clark remains skeptical of Wilson's abilities. He doesn’t see Wilson as a player capable of delivering a revenge performance at this stage in his career.

"I just think you were given ample opportunity. You were given unbelievable amounts of money. I just don't know. And also, what is Russell Wilson gonna do to the Broncos? What's he gonna do? What is he capable of doing? This is not Randy Moss playing against the Cowboys and saying, 'I'm gonna get 900 yards every time we play.' Russell Wilson is not capable of revenge."

The truth is that Wilson is capable of revenge. He is a hardworking quarterback and a Super Bowl champion for a reason. He has made nine Pro Bowls during his career and, at the age of 35, is hungrier than ever to prove that the Broncos made a mistake. 

He was soured by how Payton treated him, making him the fall guy for Denver's struggles. With the world watching, Wilson will be eager to demonstrate that he is still elite and that his failures in Denver were not all his fault. He may not pile up "900 yards" in Week 2, but walking out of the Mile High City with a win is a good start.

Steelers' Russell Wilson Will Be In A Great Spot In Pittsburgh

Wilson enters Pittsburgh with several advantages. Although the Steelers traded for another quarterback, Justin Fields, Wilson has been named the starter. It's his job to lose, giving him every opportunity in 2024 to play and dominate. He will also be working with new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who has a proven track record of success in a system that suits Wilson's strengths.

Additionally, Wilson will be coached by Mike Tomlin, who has led the Steelers for 17 seasons without ever having a losing season. The situation in Pittsburgh is much better compared to Denver for Wilson. Wilson will have a loaded defense filled with veterans as well. He will also have the support of the greatest fans in football, Steeler Nation. If Wilson can replicate his 2023 performance with the Steelers, he will be beloved in Pittsburgh.