NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
Continuing with free-agent quarterbacks and quarterbacks on the move this offseason, we come right back to the Pittsburgh Steelers with Russell Wilson. Wilson showed that he could still play at a high level even after the debacle in Denver and even more so in Pittsburgh. Now the 36-year-old QB will be on the move again but where should he land?
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts need Anthony Richardson insurance. While they want to show the young quarterback they have faith in him, they also need to send a clear message that it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. Indy needs to take a stance and say you’re our guy, but we’re not going to let you rest on your laurels, it’s time to take the next step.
Wilson could come in and be insurance for the young QB or he could be the starter while the Colts take a step back and give Richardson room to grow. The second-year veteran is just 22-years-old, 23 when the season starts. Throw Richardson under the bus all you want, but how many of you had your life figured out at the age of just 22? He’s got all the talent in the world but needs to develop and that’s on Indy to not only get him coaching, but a good mentor as well. Wilson could fill that mentor role. As well as improve the Colts’ chances of staying competitive. I do think Richardson is the answer overall, but unless he makes great leaps, the Colts should turn over every stone.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders will more than likely be in a position to draft their next starting QB in this year’s NFL Draft. However, that doesn’t mean that should be the only move they make. Las Vegas was a bad team last year with multiple bad quarterbacks playing average if we’re being generous.
Las Vegas has too many holes to fill to go out with a rookie QB and expect him to be the next Jayden Daniels. The Super Bowl reminds us it’s that defense wins championships, so LV should focus on that side of the football in the offseason so they can overcome a young QBs mistakes thus not crushing his confidence. With that being said, they need to get a veteran such as Russell Wilson to take the reigns as the rookie learns the speed of the game and playbook. Whichever QB the Raiders take in the draft, unless he looks like a seasoned vet, they should be in no rush to throw him out there on a complete tear-down and rebuild.
New York Giants
The Giants are a hot mess but fixing them shouldn’t be as hard. This team needs yet another tweak to their offensive line, they need an instant playmaker, and they need a QB who will allow them to develop their future quarterback. Everyone wants the Giants to draft a QB early in the first round but that could spell disaster for the Giants.
First and foremost, the Giants don’t have an offensive line that supports throwing a rookie quarterback out there and hoping he’ll be successful. They also don’t have the cast of playmakers with chemistry to instantly go in and change the culture in NY. If the Giants can find a QB such as Russell Wilson, they can focus on key positions of need in the offseason, find a few starters in free agency for their OL, get an instant playmaker with their first-round pick, and then draft a non-first round talent at QB in the second round.
A QB with Wilson’s talent with a first-round talent such as Malik Nabers and another top-5 playmaker would be a stacked offense. Get a playmaking TE in the mid-rounds and New York is stacked. If the Giants think they’re fixing their woes with a QB and QB alone with their early pick, then they’re admitting defeat and fully embracing a reset once this year doesn’t pan out the way they want.
Russell Wilson’s career isn’t over just yet. There is still some good football left for him, but chances are his best football is behind him. The good news is, that he can still bridge the gap for teams looking to rebuild while still adding a spark at QB.
