Analyst shares bold prediction about Steelers' Russell Wilson, Kenny Pickett

NFL insider and analyst Peter Schrager believes that the Pittsburgh Steelers' plan to sign current Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson when the new league year opens on Wednesday could ultimately be a great thing for signal-caller and 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett. 

"I think Russ is gonna light a fire under Pickett," Schrager said during Monday's edition of the "Good Morning Football" program, according to Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "Pickett's gonna have to win his job over Russ. I find the mix interesting."

Pickett entered last summer as Pittsburgh's undisputed QB1 after he posted a 7-5 record as a rookie and tossed just seven touchdown passes with nine interceptions across 13 total games in his debut pro season. However, the 25-year-old was far from spectacular this past campaign before he went down with an ankle injury in Week 13, and he then watched as backup Mason Rudolph guided Pittsburgh to a playoff berth. 

According to ESPN stats, Pickett ended the 2023 regular season ranked 27th out of 30 qualified players with a 38.1 adjusted QBR. He recorded six touchdown passes with four interceptions over 12 games. To compare, a version of Wilson who allegedly "isn’t even an average quarterback at this point" was ranked 21st in the league with a 50.7 adjusted QBR. Across 15 contests, he tallied 26 touchdown passes and eight picks. 

Wilson's agent reportedly tried to convince clubs such as the Steelers, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders to guarantee the veteran money for beyond the upcoming season before the one-time Super Bowl champion agreed to eventually sign a team-friendly deal with Pittsburgh. Wilson's contract is expected to cost Pittsburgh just $1.2M against the salary cap for 2024. 

"I think it's a great fit in that this is a team that has a 20th overall pick in Kenny Pickett, who [was] good as a rookie, took a step back last year," Schrager said about the Wilson-Pickett dynamic. "And here's Russell Wilson, who is a veteran, [35]-year-old quarterback, looking to revive his career and prove something and is not making anything. So you go together, and it's like this isn't your first overall pick, this isn't a guy who was a top-five pick. Kenny Pickett is now entering year three. I mean, do you take the kid gloves off and say let's have a true competition, here's what it is?" 

Multiple reports have indicated Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin plans to do just that, in part because the Steelers have no real money of their own attached to Wilson. How Pickett responds to this latest challenge could determine his long-term future both with Pittsburgh and in the NFL, in general.