The NFL offseason continues to witness high-profile moves, with the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring veteran quarterback Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade. This move has garnered various reactions, and one of the most interesting comes from Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce.
Wilson’s longtime rival in the AFC West, Kelce, had a startlingly upbeat viewpoint. Along with his brother Jason, Kelce stated on their podcast, “New Heights,” that he thinks Wilson has a significant amount of good football left in him.
Russell Wilson: Travis Kelce Backs Former Rival’s Potential with the Steelers
Wilson’s 2023 season with the Denver Broncos was not his greatest, but Kelce noted that Wilson showed flashes of brilliance, even bringing up the Broncos’ most recent loss to the Chiefs. Wilson, in Kelce’s opinion, is the missing component for the Steelers, who boast a great defense and head coach Mike Tomlin. He says the Steelers become a real danger in the AFC if Wilson can even play at his previous level.
“Shoutout to Russ, man. Get another new start,” Kelce reacted after his brother Jason read an article from ESPN’s Adam Schefter claiming that Wilson had agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers.
Nine-time Pro-Bowl QB and former Super-Bowl champ Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per league sources. Wilson will sign a team-friendly, one-year deal in which the Broncos will wind up paying $38 million of his salary while Wilson wears the black and… pic.twitter.com/eqQC8w0tIK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Still, there are doubts about Wilson’s capacity to return to his best. In comparison to his career norms, he suffered a decrease in passing yards and touchdowns in 2023. It can be difficult to adjust to a new offensive strategy and coaching staff, and his performance mostly depends on how well he can adjust. To protect Wilson and get the most out of him, the Steelers’ offensive line must also be fixed.
There’s no denying that Wilson’s move to Pittsburgh changed the AFC landscape. The Steelers become a legitimate playoff contender right away when they have a healthy, driven Wilson and a potent defense. With strong quarterbacks on the rosters of the Bengals, Ravens, and now the Steelers, the AFC North is even more competitive. This might lead to more fierce AFC playoff competition and thrilling divisional matchups.
