Russell Wilson best get used to this for the rest of the summer. The newest Steelers quarterback will face the Broncos, his old team, the second week of the season.
Broncos linebacker Jonas Griffith fired at least one verbal shot Pittsburgh’s way during an interview this week with Denver Sports 104.3. Philip Lindsay was one of the co-hosts asking the questions. Coincidentally, he’s also a former Bronco running back.
The obvious question was asked: How excited is Griffith to face Wilson, his former teammate?
“I’m really excited obviously for any game I get to play in,” Griffith said. “But you see that one you’re excited to go out there and — beat the Steelers, first of all, it’s a great organization. I want to pick off Russ, for sure. I think that would be really cool, just to pick him off and get the victory, first and foremost.”
The game between the Broncos and Steelers is Sept. 15. It will be Denver’s home opener. And of course, it will be Wilson’s return to the Mile High City where the quarterback spent most of the past two seasons as the starting quarterback. Broncos coach Sean Payton benched Wilson toward the end of last season, as Denver decided to part ways with the quarterback, although the team still owed him millions. It’s why the Steelers were able to get Wilson for the NFL veteran minimum of $1.2 million. The Broncos are paying him the other $38 million for 2024.
Lindsay asked Griffith, who missed all of last season with a knee issue, whether he planned on taunting Wilson with a “let’s ride” shoutout if he gets a sack or interception. Griffith laughed and said no. “Let’s ride” was Wilson’s social media hashtag during his time in Denver.
Wilson and Justin Fields are vying to be the Steelers starting quarterback. Neither was with the team last season. Pittsburgh, after signing Wilson in March, traded for Fields. It’ll be a new look offense by the time the Steelers meet the Broncos. Wilson is the favorite to be QB1. But there’s an entire preseason training camp to get through before there’s an official depth chart.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are looking for their starting quarterback. When minicamp started earlier this month, Payton said he’d definitely know who will start “the week before the first game. But I don’t have a set date.“
Jarrett Stidham, who filled in for Wilson last season, is an option. So is Zach Wilson, the former Jets starter. The Broncos selected former Oregon star Bo Nix with the 12th pick of the first round. So maybe Denver goes rookie.
One thing is guaranteed. There probably will be lots more chatter about Wilson before the Steelers make it to the Mile High City.
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