Broncos legend criticizes Russell Wilson admits fault against Steelers QB

In the ever-evolving narrative of Russell Wilson's career, opinions remain fiercely divided. Once hailed as a champion with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson's recent struggles in Denver raised eyebrows and questions alike. Now, as he embarks on a new chapter with the Pittsburgh Steelers, former NFL player Mark Schlereth finds himself grappling with his complex feelings toward the quarterback. Will Wilson's resurgence be enough to reshape perceptions, or will his turbulent past continue to overshadow his achievements?

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Mark Schlereth reflects on Russell Wilson's journey

Mark Schlereth never holds back when discussing Russell Wilson. While he admitted he didn’t “hate” him, he’s infamously dubbed him a "French waiter" on multiple occasions. Despite a rocky tenure with the Denver Broncos, Wilson has begun to turn his career around.


In a surprising twist, Schlereth recently commended Wilson for his impressive debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers, particularly during the game against the New York Giants. However, the bitterness from Wilson's Broncos days still lingers for Schlereth.


“I’m just going to say it with my chest: Russell Wilson has played really well over the last two games,” Schlereth stated. Even after Wilson helped the Steelers achieve a historic 22 consecutive Monday Night Football wins, Schlereth can’t escape the shadow of the Super Bowl champion's troubled past.


“It doesn’t take away from what happened here in Denver and how bad he was—he was awful. It also doesn’t change the fact that things didn't work out in Seattle; that relationship was fractured,” he shared on his Stinkin Truth Podcast.


In just two games with the Steelers, Wilson has thrown for 542 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions. Remarkably, he’s doing this on a league-minimum salary, as the Broncos are still on the hook for around $40 million due to an injury clause and trade terms. It seems Wilson has finally recognized the stakes and is stepping up his game.


But was his past really that bad? With nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring from his Seattle days, one has to wonder—what sticks out most to Schlereth?

Russell Wilson’s past

Wilson stopped being the champion he once was during the latter part of his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. Reports surfaced that Seattle players believed Wilson was coddled by Pete Carroll. Ironically, the quarterback even requested the Seattle management to fire Carroll, claiming his presence hindered his chances of winning Super Bowls.


Instead of firing Carroll and the then-GM, the Seahawks traded the nine-time Pro Bowler to the Broncos. Wilson played two seasons in Denver (2022-2023), where his first year was tumultuous: the Broncos finished 5-12, with Wilson throwing for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a staggering 55 sacks in a single season.


In 2023, the Broncos showed improvement, ending the season at 8-9. However, Wilson's performance declined, posting 3,070 yards, a 26-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and enduring 45 sacks. Wilson's tendency to take sacks has cost the Broncos dearly, with a total of 100 sacks over two seasons—a statistic that raises serious concerns.


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