As supporters wait to see how the Pittsburgh Steelers will handle their quarterback dilemma, former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco chose to express his thoughts on what should happen next for the team.
The former All-Pro believes there is a clear choice for the squad to choose at the position.
During an appearance on the Nightcap podcast on January 19, Ochocinco informed Shannon Sharpe that the Steelers’ pursuit quarterback Russell Wilson “makes too much sense”.
“If you’re serious, with Mike Tomlin’s contract extension, Russell Wilson is now on the market. “He is the one you should get,” Ochocinco stated. “I think the pairing with Russell Wilson, that offense, Diontae Johnson, and Najee Harris, I think they will be explosive. Perfect: playoff coach, playoff quarterback, Super Bowl coach, Super Bowl QB. George Pickens is going to enjoy that. It just doesn’t make sense to pass up such a chance if you want to compete in the AFC North.”
This is not Ochocinco’s first time making this request. He also mentioned the notion soon after the Broncos benched Wilson.
Wilson is one of several quarterbacks that have been identified as prospective signings to the Steelers.
Opinions on Who Steelers Should Pursue Vary
In the 2023 NFL offseason, the Steelers have several alternatives for their 2024 quarterback if they don’t already have one. These options have received support from various sources.
Marcus Spears recently stated that acquiring Kirk Cousins would “absolutely” put the Steelers in contention.
Keyshawn Johnson believes the Steelers should go acquire Justin Fields.
Dan Orlovsky identified Baker Mayfield as a quarterback the Steelers should consider alongside Cousins and Fields.
Ochocinco now supports a trade for Wilson.
In terms of roster alternatives, Antonio Brown responded to a Twitter question by naming Mason Rudolph as the starter.
Kenny Pickett has had little public support this summer, and he will most certainly battle for the starting job with whoever else is on the team’s roster when preseason begins.
Keyshawn Johnson believes the Steelers should go acquire Justin Fields.
Dan Orlovsky identified Baker Mayfield as a quarterback the Steelers should consider alongside Cousins and Fields.
Ochocinco now supports a trade for Wilson.
In terms of roster alternatives, Antonio Brown responded to a Twitter question by naming Mason Rudolph as the starter.
Kenny Pickett has had little public support this summer, and he will most certainly battle for the starting job with whoever else is on the team’s roster when preseason begins.
The team benching him for the last two weeks of the season appeared to imply that his time in Denver was coming to an end.
However, Wilson later stated that he intended to continue playing with the Broncos.
The team also does not stand to benefit anything from releasing Wilson before the 2024 season.
He would still take a large dead cap hit, and they do not have a replacement ready to go.
They’ll most certainly select a quarterback in the first round of the 2019 draft, but whoever that quarterback is will benefit from a year behind Wilson.
If they are given a trade that reduces the financial burden on Wilson’s deal, letting him go becomes much more enticing, but there have been no indications of teams contemplating a bid for the nine-time Pro Bowler.
Wilson might play elsewhere in 2024, and the Steelers could be one of them, but as things stand, he’s a quarterback on the roster of a team that won’t have another starter if he leaves.
