U mad, bro?: Steelers fans love the Russell Wilson signing (and hate me because I don't love it as much as they do)

When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers signing quarterback Russell Wilson, two things are clear:

• Almost everybody in Pittsburgh seems to love it.

• Almost everybody in Pittsburgh seems to hate me because I don’t love it as much as all of they do.

It’s not like I’m opposed to it. I just don’t think it’s quite the home run that many Steelers fans are making it out to be.

I think Wilson is better than Kenny Pickett. … and I don’t think much more of him than that. So, it’s an improvement. But I’m grading things based on what I think of Wilson as a quarterback, as opposed to slobbering all over the bargain nature of the contract.

Because these are the Steelers. Not the Pirates. Save that mentality for the North Shore’s other team.

So, it’s been a long week for me, my inbox and my social-media mentions.

Here’s a brief smattering in this week’s “U mad, bro?”

Let’s start with Nick. He wanted to have a calm, rational exchange of opinions about the Steelers signing Russell Wilson.

Go away old man. This is a great signing with zero risk. Last time Russ had a legit top 5 defense and a good running game, he won and won a lot.

— Nick Thomas (@N_Thomas92680) March 11, 2024

There’s a huge difference between “zero risk” and “great signing.” That’s exactly the point I was advancing. Thanks for making it and missing it all at once.

26 TDs for this team next year makes them a real contender. Great low risk signing. Not to mention they’re about to spend more in free agency than they ever have. Go ahead and cry about it, but this team will compete in 2024.

— Nick Thomas (@N_Thomas92680) March 11, 2024

They competed this year. They just didn’t win a playoff game. Steelers fans keep telling me Wilson is better than the guys they had last year. He probably is. I’m asking you if you really think he’s still good enough to win multiple AFC playoff games. Maybe even just one. Again, that’s a huge difference.

Yes, with a top 5 D and top 5 running game, he’s more than capable

— Nick Thomas (@N_Thomas92680) March 11, 2024

Oh! Is that all he needs? Just top five on defense and top five on the ground, huh? Well, since the Steelers were 13th in rushing and 21st in total defense, I guess we’re off to a great start then!

Antonio wants me to wave my Terrible Towel a little faster over the Wilson signing.

We gave Mitch $9mil.. how could you possibly spin this into a negative move

— Antonio Orsini (@AntonioOrsini3) March 11, 2024

I’m not spinning it into a negative. I’m telling you not to expect too much. Throwing praise around based on a cheap signing of Wilson versus a bad signing of Trubisky isn’t exactly a high bar to clear.

Richard is responding to my belief that Kirk Cousins would’ve been a better quarterback here than Wilson will be, if the Steelers were willing to pay his gigantic $45 million per year contract.

“Tim, they CERTAINLY WERE NOT going to sign Cousins, ESPECIALLY not for that #, I think ur WAAAYY to(o) intelligent to remotely think that was going to occur, Wilson for that $$$ is a typical Steeler Way of doing things, right, wrong, or indifferent.”

Richard, the “typical Steeler way of doing things” has resulted in a failure to win a playoff game in 11 of the past 13 seasons. Stick with “wrong.”

PS … I also never thought they’d actually sign Cousins. I said that if they plan on punting on Kenny Pickett, I’d rather see them pay premium money for the premium position of quarterback and get who I think will be the better of the two players.

By the way, if Wilson does work out here and is a free agent next year, he’s going to want every bit as much as Cousins. I bet by next year Cousins is actually cheaper than Wilson, if Wilson has a good season.

Then will big money for a QB be worth it to all of you? Or will you still applaud them for being frugal if they go on the cheap for a fourth year in a row under center?

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Robert also hates the idea of Cousins being the quarterback here. Mark Madden advanced that opinion in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast.

“Cousins over Wilson is just stupid. Many qbs over the years have thrown for thousands of yards going back to Dan Fouts and air coryell but have no ring. Local media (including you and madden) and Steeler fans are always complaining about not winning a playoff game, cousins has a losing playoff record wilson does not. And aren’t you both two of the people that was riding “the turbisky train” at his signing ? Lmao.”

No. I wasn’t on the “Tur”bisky train. I wasn’t even on the Trubisky train, actually. In fact, I was 100% against the idea of them acquiring Trubisky. And I said so.

Furthermore, I see you fawning over Wilson’s playoff record. How many playoff wins do you think Wilson has had since the end of 2016?

I’ll give you a hint: It’s exactly one more than the Steelers have had.

Lmao.

Louis has a different approach to the discussion.

Seems like a pretty good potential backup at $1M.

— Louis Hensler III (@LWHensler3) March 11, 2024

Louis, if we have already spent this much time discussing Russell Wilson and he ends up as a backup to Kenny Pickett, then let’s just go back to debating why the Penguins stink on the power play or if Henry Davis should play catcher or outfield.

Finally, this guy is trying to sucker me into a bet about Wilson. At least I think that’s what he is trying to do.

Ok, When the Steelers win a playoff game with Russ, are you willing to shave your head?

— JazzTheScorpioPharaoh (@jazz6621) March 11, 2024

No. If that happens, though, I am willing to change my name to “Mr. Unlimited.”

When they ask u somethin'... tell 'em ur..... #UNLIMITED pic.twitter.com/832yylOTjy

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) May 19, 2018

As I recall, the last guy on the Steelers to use alter ego nicknames called himself “Ronald” and “Mr. Big Chest.” So what could possibly go wrong?