3x Super Bowl champion torches Russell Wilson: “He’s playing his way out of the Hall of Fame”
When Russell Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, most assumed that the offseason would be devoid of any questions around Mike Tomlin's QB1 this year. Then the Steelers turned around and took a flier on Justin Fields, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick the Bears' way (which could become a fourth-round selection based on playing time).
With Week 1 on the horizon, a debate is still raging over which of Wilson and Fields should be under center in 2024. With both QBs set to hit free agency next year as things stand, the Steelers will likely find themselves in need of a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Be that as it may, they still have to play out the 2024 season and Denver Broncos legend Mark Schlereth believes Tomlin should name Fields as his starter instead. On his Stinkin' Truth podcast this week, Schlereth said:
“I’d go with Justin Fields. At least he gives you an opportunity to develop an entire package of quarterback run. That guy is still an incredibly dynamic athlete. I think there’s room for improvement in his game. He’s not an efficient dropback passer at this stage of his career. But at least there’s an opportunity to grow."
But Schlereth didn't stop there. The three-time Super Bowl champion went in on Russell Wilson, adding:
"Russell’s regressing. We’re watching a future Hall of Famer play his way out of the Hall of Fame.”
Are Russell Wilson's skills on the decline?
As soon as the Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, the franchise handed him a monster five-year, $242 million contract. As part of that deal, Wilson is guaranteed a $39 million salary this year.
But Wilson didn't exactly set the league alight after the high-profile move to Denver. In two years with the Broncos, he threw for an average of 3,297 yards and racked up a total of 19 INTs. He was sacked 55 times in his first year in Denver, a career-high. And while that is not solely down to Wilson himself, it paints a picture of how things never conspired to spell success for him in Denver.
It must be said, however, that Schlereth has not quite been a fan of Wilson. Earlier this year, he called Wilson "delusional" and blasted the QB's "toxic positivity."