Ben Roethlisberger Thinks Russell Wilson Has Earned Extension, Would Additionally Attempt To Maintain Justin Fields

This season was at all times going to be attention-grabbing for Russell Wilson. Regardless of being among the finest quarterbacks within the NFL throughout his profession, a tough stint with the Denver Broncos destroyed Wilson’s worth. He signed a minimal contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent. He hoped to rewrite the narrative surrounding him, and he was, however the previous few video games have introduced his talents into query once more. Ben Roethlisberger believes Wilson has earned a wholesome extension from the Steelers.

“Yeah, I feel so,” Roethlisberger stated Monday on his podcast, Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger. “I feel he’s performed effectively, particularly in that stretch within the center. Clearly, he hasn’t performed effectively the final couple video games.

“Solely a type of was with George [Pickens], which is a giant deal for Russ. To me, Russ is a feast-or-famine man. He’s throwing actually brief passes, or he’s throwing the deep ball. He’s obtained one of many prettiest and finest deep balls within the sport.”

Roethlisberger’s evaluation is usually proper. At occasions, Wilson has finished a fantastic job focusing on the center of the sector, however that also isn’t his power. He’s at his finest throwing the ball deep down the sideline, and that’s been on show a number of occasions this 12 months.

Nonetheless, it’s attention-grabbing to say if these expertise are sufficient to warrant giving Wilson an extension. It relies upon extra on the type of deal the Steelers give him. Throughout that very same podcast, Roethlisberger outlined the type of contract he thinks the Steelers will give Wilson.

“You’re not gonna be capable to give Russ, I don’t suppose you are able to do a one-year. If I have been a betting man, I’d say if the Steelers actually needed Russ again, I assume it might be like a 3 [year] for $100 [million], type of what Baker [Mayfield] obtained in Tampa.”

The framework for Mayfield’s deal is commonly used to stipulate what Wilson may get. It makes some sense. Mayfield’s profession as a starter seemed to be over, however with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he revived his profession. In return, they gave him a pleasant extension. Nonetheless, there are some key variations between Mayfield and Wilson.

The most important holdup to giving Wilson that type of deal is his age. He’s 36, whereas Mayfield hasn’t even turned 30 but. There’s extra threat in investing that a lot money and time right into a quarterback of Wilson’s age, particularly one together with his play fashion. Time has already robbed him of a lot of his athleticism. How precious will he be if his arm power goes quickly and he loses that vaunted deep ball?

Roethlisberger is appropriate that Wilson has proved he can nonetheless be a starter on this league. Throughout his first few video games with the Steelers, he actually shined. Nonetheless, issues have been uglier over the previous few weeks. Particularly, Wilson has given away extra expensive turnovers. That doesn’t equal successful soccer.

Regardless of that, it wouldn’t be loopy to see Wilson get the type of deal Roethlisberger described. He has performed effectively, and it appears like he’s actually built-in himself with the Steelers’ tradition. Wilson has given them the management they’ve been searching for since Roethlisberger retired.

Roethlisberger finishes this thought by summarizing what he thinks the Steelers ought to do at quarterback.

“You want a quarterback on this league to win. I’d do every part I may to attempt to signal Russ to a two-year deal. And I’d attempt to maintain Justin [Fields] as effectively. This could be my want record. I’d try to maintain each of them. I’d let Russ have the job, however allow them to compete and let Justin proceed to be taught.”

That does sound like a really favorable consequence for the Steelers. It does appear unlikely, however it might be good. A two-year deal feels safer for Wilson, particularly with Fields nonetheless on the crew. Nonetheless, it’s unclear how a lot cash Fields will command available on the market and if he needs an opportunity to be a starter someplace else.

It’s a tough scenario to steadiness, and the Steelers doubtless is not going to fear about it till the season ends. In the event that they play effectively of their closing regular-season sport and Wilson leads them to a playoff victory, he may earn a a lot greater contract.