Russell Wilson Will ‘Shock’ Steelers Critics, Predicts Ryan Leaf
Ryan Leaf is all about second chances, in ways that have nothing to do with football.
So maybe he’s a little biased toward the Russell Wilson story that he believes is about to unfold in Pittsburgh.
“Watch out for the Steelers,” Leaf said while appearing on Up & Adams, “I think Russ has still every bit of being a Super Bowl champion quarterback in him.”
The consensus on Wilson is something a bit shy of that. His Super Bowl days in Seattle were a long time ago. And his two downturn seasons with the Denver Broncos are stuck in the memory banks.
Not to mention the “bank” where Wilson received a $245 million deal as part of his trade from the Seahawks.
But that’s not the Steelers’ problem; they’re picking up just $1 million of the tab for his 2024 salary – a bargain … unless he plays poorly.
But Leaf, once a top NFL Draft pick who bottomed out as a player and, as he’d be the first to say, as a person – but who has rebounded to tell his story in hopes of helping others – does not predict poor play.
Quite the contrary.
He acknowledged that few others see it his way, saying, “Nobody else does.”
But he also cites the defense that the Steelers have as a foundation, and the fact they were a playoff team a year ago. So even with the “brutal” (unfair?) schedule this year, he sees Steelers success.
“They were right there a year ago. But that division is so darn good,” he said. “(But) I think he’s going to shock a lot of people with (new offensive coordinator) Arthur Smith and what they do with that offense.”
