Russell Wilson's reported asking price for his next contract proves the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to dodge a bullet
Never say never, but all indications point to Russell Wilson departing the Pittsburgh Steelers. A move months in the making, the Steelers await a response from Aaron Rodgers, with Mason Rudolph as their last resort. And when you see how much Wilson wants, it only adds to the list of reasons as to why Pittsburgh […]
Never say never, but all indications point to Russell Wilson departing the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A move months in the making, the Steelers await a response from Aaron Rodgers, with Mason Rudolph as their last resort.
And when you see how much Wilson wants, it only adds to the list of reasons as to why Pittsburgh has moved on…
Russell Wilson asking for $20-30m per year
According to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, Wilson's asking price averages out at about $25m per year, which is chump change for most QBs, but not exactly for a QB in his late 30s who has dealt with injuries and questionable play as of late.
The report makes sense given the fact that Wilson had a meeting with the Cleveland Browns recently and both sides remain interested in a partnership despite the Kenny Pickett trade, but with no deal in place perhaps his demands are too high.
“From what I’m hearing, the Cleveland Browns still have interest in Russell Wilson," said ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler. "They’re still pursuing that angle, but they have Carson Wentz as a contingency plan. There’s some mutual interest there. If Wilson falls through, Kirk Cousins would be a prime option for the Browns, I’m told, but he’s simply not available right now.”
Let's be clear, Russ had been adamant about coming back to the Steelers. He said multiple times that he wanted to stay and play for the Steelers despite being a free agent.
But that was before the you know what hit the fan and he lost five straight to close out the season while having less than stellar reports about his and Arthur Smith's relationship surface.
So between that drama, the sour taste he left in the mouths of the Steelers brass, and this asking price, it's easy to see why Pittsburgh has moved on.
And sure, Rodgers will likely demand the same, if not more, and is older than Wilson.
But right or wrong, he's the player that Pittsburgh wants. And just by default human nature, you are more likely to pay extra for something you want than you are to settle and pay the going rate for something you view as "lesser."
So we'll see what happens with Wilson. It seems that if any team, including the Browns or New York Giants, was willing to pay him that much, he would have signed by now.
