Former MVP discusses how Russell Wilson fits with Steelers offense

One-time Most Valuable Player and current CBS Sports NFL analyst Matt Ryan believes Russell Wilson can thrive playing under new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

"It's gonna be interesting to see if he and Arthur Smith can get onto the same page getting some of those things on schedule," Ryan said about Wilson during an appearance on the FanDuel TV "Up & Adams" program, per Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot. "If you could get Russ to make some more plays in rhythm and then ask him to extend plays and do what he's always done, I still think there's juice left in the tank." 

Wilson is expected to sign a team-friendly deal with the Steelers once Denver makes him a free agent after the start of the new league year on Wednesday. While it's assumed Wilson will be asked to compete with 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett for the Pittsburgh starting job this summer, Jeff Howe of The Athletic wrote that the 35-year-old "has a very realistic path to" the gig because of his ability "to throw the deep ball." 

According to ESPN, Wilson finished the 2023 season ranked 21st in the NFL with a 50.7 adjusted QBR and eighth with a 98.0 passer rating. He recorded 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions over 15 games. 

Ryan had Smith as a head coach and play-caller when both were employed by the Atlanta Falcons during the 2021 season. Ryan noted that Smith will want to "run the football" and not "be as heavy dropback-pass-dominant" as the Steelers have been with signal-callers such as Pickett and Ben Roethlisberger running the offense. Back in February, Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire/USA Today predicted that Pittsburgh running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris "could both break out" playing under Smith. 

"That rhythm passing game sometimes doesn't show up, so I think running the football, doing some of the off-schedule things that Russ can do, I think it can be a good fit," Ryan added. 

New England Patriots beat reporter Chris Mason previously mentioned that game film indicated Wilson's "legs have started to go," which resulted in the one-time Super Bowl champion repeatedly "getting crunched" during games with Denver. Wilson finished this past campaign with 341 rushing yards, but he may not be asked to make 80 total regular-season carries with Smith able to lean on Warren and Harris when the weather in Pittsburgh gets colder as fall gives way to winter.