When news broke of Russell Wilson choosing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, most were likely asleep as the news started circulating. Nonetheless, with the dust starting to settle on the pending transaction, some clarity on the move is needed with the fan base drawing some conclusions of their own.

Most fans are suggesting the signing of Russell Wilson equates in Wilson being the team’s starting quarterback in 2024.

He could be, but he’s going to have to beat out Kenny Pickett to do so.

Some might chuckle at that and suggest it’s a pretty low bar to clear, but the Steelers were honest when they said they wanted to bring in competition for Pickett this offseason. Because it’s going to be a competition.

Our source within the organization stood strong when talking about how Pickett will enter training camp this summer as the QB1 on the depth chart. Will he keep that status? That’s entirely up to him, but Wilson will have the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job this summer.

The ongoing theory from the fan base has been how there is no way Wilson would choose the Steelers without being guaranteed to be the starter in 2024. However, Wilson will get the opportunity to win that job, and on a one-year deal. He is betting on himself to not just beat Pickett, but to prove he can still play at a high level and cash in after the 2024 season with a long term deal.

If Pickett is able to beat out Wilson, proving he is worthy of the QB1 status, it not only would be the best-case scenario for the future of the Steelers, but Wilson being on a veteran minimum deal doesn’t mean they are having a back-up quarterback who is draining their salary cap space.

Make all the assumptions you want about Wilson choosing the Steelers for 2024, but this is the approach the Steelers are taking heading into the new league year, and it shouldn’t shock anyone. After all, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have been saying this since the end of the regular season.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the new league year which is officially here on Wednesday.