Steelers QB Russell Wilson named 'big winner' of NFL Draft

Analyst Daniel Jeremiah explained during an on-air NFL Network segment why he believes Pittsburgh Steelers veteran quarterback Russell Wilson could emerge this fall as one of the big winners of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

"Just when you look at what they surrounded him with," Jeremiah said, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Let's start here with first, you get three offensive linemen...then oh, by the way, Russ, let's get you (Michigan wide receiver) Roman Wilson, a player who reminded me a lot of (Packers wideout) Jayden Reed. So, I think he had to be very, very excited about this nucleus that they're forming around him." 

Jeremiah isn't alone, as others previously praised Pittsburgh for landing Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu at No. 20 overall before the club acquired West Virginia center Zach Frazier in the second round. Both should be Week 1 starters tasked with protecting a veteran quarterback who, per StatMuse, took more sacks (100) than any other player across the past two regular seasons. Second on that list is Pittsburgh's Justin Fields (99), who may or may not receive an opportunity to win the starting job via a summer competition with Wilson.

During a Tuesday appearance on the FS1 "Speak" program, Fox Sports NFL reporter Carmen Vitali mentioned that she's convinced Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will keep Wilson as his QB1 for as long as possible barring disastrous results or an injury.

"You know the saying," Vitali said, per McCorkle. "If you have two quarterbacks, you have none. You don't wanna start this quarterback competition. And look, Mike Tomlin is the most even-keeled, just stable head coach in this league. He's not gonna make a rash decision if Russ, maybe he struggles a little bit in the beginning. He's not gonna try to have Justin Fields breathing down Russell Wilson's neck." 

It is worth noting that Pittsburgh isn't married to Wilson or Fields beyond the 2024 campaign. Additionally, Tomlin showed this past season he was willing to sit starter Kenny Pickett when backup Mason Rudolph was the hot hand at that time. 

Tomlin may keep Wilson atop the depth chart through early September, but the one-time Super Bowl champion will likely find himself playing for his job this fall.