Super Bowl-winning executive suggests the Steelers should cut Russell Wilson and sign Ryan Tannehill
No matter which way you look, the hot takes surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson are flying. Some think he's washed, some think he should be traded and now, some believe he should be cut. That was the line of thinking from three-time Super Bowl champion and former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, who believes Pittsburgh […]
No matter which way you look, the hot takes surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson are flying.
Some think he's washed, some think he should be traded and now, some believe he should be cut.
That was the line of thinking from three-time Super Bowl champion and former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, who believes Pittsburgh is better off with a player not even on the roster:
Tannehill over Russ?
"Pittsburgh is a team without a quarterback," Lombardi said on the latest edition of his podcast The GM Shuffle. "Now, look, we can all sit here and talk about Russell Wilson, being a disaster, which he was right. But, I mean, [Broderick] Jones, the right tackle, was as much a disaster as anything. They didn't protect at all. There are more issues there than just 'we need a quarterback in Pittsburgh'. Like he [Russell Wilson] didn't have time to throw the ball and Justin Fields isn't… I mean, when you can't see somebody separate themselves from the competition, you don't have one [A QB]"
What once was Russell Wilson's job to lose has been completely flipped on its head. The likeliest outcome is that he is the starting QB come Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, but the determination will likely come down to Saturday's game against the Detroit Lions.
But based on what we have seen so far, Lombardi and others could care less about Saturday, suggesting Pittsburgh needs to make a move now.
"…So if you're [Steelers GM] Omar Khan, you're sitting there, when do I call Ryan Tannehill? When do I call Ryan Tannehill?" Added Lombardi. "I don't want to bet against Mike Tomlin ever, but they're not going to win with their present situation. Tannehill, if healthy, especially in [Steelers OC] Arthur Smith's offense, especially there, he's had success, like I would not wait. You [Steelers] have nothing attached to Russell Wilson. You could cut him tomorrow. You've got nothing. There's minimum salary. It's not guaranteed. He then goes back on Denver's payroll. You have nothing to it if you want to do it that way. Or, you know, bring Tannehill in and see if you want to play Fields and Tannehill, but it's pretty clear they don't have a QB."
Now if you're wondering why Lombardi would present Ryan Tannehill as an option, it's not only because the former Tennessee Titans Pro Bowler is a free agent, but because of his relationship with Steelers OC Arthur Smith.
The two incurred tremendous success during their time in Tennessee together, earning number one overall seeds, and AFC Championship Game appearances.
Tannehill also spoke recently on how impactful Arthur Smith was on his career, and why Smith is the perfect fit for Pittsburgh.
So look, is it rich to assume any of this would happen? Of course. But crazier things have transpired during cutdown week in the NFL, and if anyone could step in and take over the Steelers offense, it would be Ryan Tannehill.
Former NFL scout says Steelers QB Russell Wilson is ‘kind of a weirdo, totally washed’
He is done with the Russell Wilson experience.
