NFL analyst puts Russell Wilson into top-5 QB countdown alongside Lamar Jackson
Russell Wilson hasn't been on a positive top-5 list of any sort in quite some time. However, the Steelers' new quarterback managed to make at least one of these lists this week.
CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr wrote a list of his top five dual-threat quarterbacks of the post-2000 era. Jackson ranked third but not far behind was Wilson at fifth. Here's how he explained Wilson's qualifications:
"Wilson is third on the all-time list for rushing yards by a quarterback (5,307), which shouldn't be surprising given his longevity at the position.
"He's thrown for 334 touchdowns and has a career passer rating of 100.0 (fourth all-time). He's fifth all-time in yards per carry (5.4) and 10th in game-winning drives (39)," he wrote.
He also noted the player's Super Bowl win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48 as an additional big reason. Wilson's name was listed alongside Michael Vick, Cam Newton and Josh Allen on Kerr's list.
The post-2000 era has been shorter than the pre-2000 era and with Wilson already sitting at fifth, he is teetering on losing the spot. As it stands, the Steelers have given a contract to two such players on the list. Vick played one season for the team in 2015. Now, in 2024, Wilson is set to get a shot with the franchise.
Russell Wilson gears up to challenge Lamar Jackson for AFC North supremacy
Russell Wilson shares the ranking with Jackson and will now go toe-to-toe with Jackson this year. As a member of the Steelers, the quarterback will get two chances to prove his worth against the 2023 MVP.
Of course, that will include the need to hold onto his starting job long enough to get two cracks at it. With their first showdown coming on November 17, he'll need to have at least one or two good months to clinch the starting job to face Lamar Jackson once.
Then, if he can hold on even longer, the two will square off roughly one month later, on December 21st. Of course, the mere talk of him potentially losing his job to Justin Fields might be enough to disqualify him from any comparisons in the eyes of some fans.
However, the 2024 season offers a chance for the former Seahawks and Broncos quarterback to defend his name. Will Russell Wilson manage to defeat Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes in back-to-back seasons? Let us know in the comments.