After years of agonizing Steelers fans, Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson may have given them a reason to smile.
Johnson said on the “Nightcap” show that Pittsburgh will be landing quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason in an attempt to solidify the game’s most important position.
“A little birdie told me, and I said this many shows ago,” Johnson said, “Russell Wilson’s coming on over there to the Steelers.”
Time will tell if Johnson scooped ESPN’s Adam Schefter with this report, although this move would make sense for both parties.
Wilson could be headed elsewhere after being benched by the Broncos down the stretch due to contractual issues.
While NFL Network reported it’s possible Wilson restructures his contract to stay with Denver, it seems head coach Sean Payton would prefer to move on from Wilson.
Wilson is not the same quarterback from his Seattle days, but the 35-year-old still tossed 26 touchdowns to just eight interceptions last season.
The Steelers could use that kind of production rather than hoping either Kenny Pickett lives up to his draft position or that veteran Mason Rudolph can recreate his impressive run to the playoffs after starting the season as the team’s No. 3.
There are already reports the Steelers are debating whether Rudolph should be the starter, which shows the tough spot the Steelers are in despite last season’s postseason appearance.
While the Steelers had been favorites to land Bears quarterback Justin Fields as of last week, Johnson insisted that Fields is headed elsewhere.
“No, he’s going to Atlanta,” Johnson said. “I got the script.”
Johnson’s dual reports would contradict a recent report from former MVP Shaun Alexander, who said that Wilson is actually headed to the Falcons.
DraftKings lists the Steelers as -250 favorites for Wilson’s next team.
The rumors make for interesting hot stove chatter ahead of what will be a quarterback-heavy draft that will influence many teams’ quarterback plans.
The Steelers are not in position to grab one of the top three options, but perhaps could be in play for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy if they decide Pickett isn’t the long-term answer.