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The NFL offseason is a time of intense speculation, rumors, and big decisions, especially for teams facing critical decisions at key positions. One position that always draws significant attention is quarterback—arguably the most important role on the field. This offseason, two of the most talked-about quarterback situations involve the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos. Both teams have had tumultuous seasons in recent years, and the futures of their respective quarterbacks—Kenny Pickett for the Steelers and Russell Wilson for the Broncos—are uncertain.

Adam Schefter, ESPN’s NFL insider, has recently shared updates that have given fans more clarity about where both quarterbacks stand heading into the new season. In this blog post, we’ll break down the latest developments on the Steelers’ QB situation as well as Russell Wilson’s future with the Broncos, using Schefter’s insights to analyze what’s next for these two teams and their quarterbacks.

### The Pittsburgh Steelers and Kenny Pickett’s Growing Role

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the question of who would lead the team at quarterback has been a major storyline for several years now. Since the retirement of Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger following the 2021 season, the Steelers have been in a state of transition at the position. In 2022, the team began to turn the page with rookie Kenny Pickett, who was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to be the future of the franchise.

During his rookie season, Pickett showed flashes of potential but also displayed the inconsistency that many expect from a young quarterback adjusting to the NFL. As the season progressed, the Steelers coaching staff, led by head coach Mike Tomlin, gave Pickett more control of the offense. By the end of the season, there was optimism surrounding Pickett’s future, but it was clear he still had areas of his game that needed to be polished.

#### What Adam Schefter Says About the Steelers’ QB Situation

According to Adam Schefter’s recent report, the Steelers remain fully committed to Kenny Pickett as their quarterback moving forward. Despite some early struggles and inconsistencies during his rookie campaign, the Steelers’ coaching staff believes that Pickett is the right man to lead the team into the future. Schefter confirmed that the team has no plans to move on from Pickett in the short term and views him as their long-term answer at quarterback.

While this is a vote of confidence for Pickett, it doesn’t mean that the Steelers won’t make adjustments to their offense. The Steelers’ offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, has been under scrutiny for his playcalling in recent seasons, and many expect the Steelers to make some changes in the offseason to better support Pickett’s growth. Pittsburgh also appears set to build around Pickett, likely focusing on improving the offensive line and surrounding him with more weapons, including a reliable receiving corps and a solid run game.

Pickett showed signs of promise, especially during the second half of the season. He demonstrated strong leadership and the ability to make key plays in critical moments. His ability to lead the Steelers to several wins in close games showed a level of maturity that many rookies struggle to display. While the Steelers’ offense wasn’t consistently explosive, Pickett did enough to give fans hope that he can eventually develop into a top-tier quarterback in the NFL.

With Schefter’s latest report, Steelers fans can breathe a little easier knowing that the team isn’t looking to make a drastic change at quarterback just yet. Instead, Pittsburgh will focus on developing Pickett further, allowing him to take the reins as the team’s leader for the foreseeable future. The franchise’s commitment to Pickett suggests that they see him as the centerpiece of their offense as they look to remain competitive in the tough AFC North division.

#### What Needs to Improve for Pickett and the Steelers

While Pickett’s job appears secure, there are still areas of concern. In 2022, he finished the season with a solid but unspectacular 7-5 record as a starter, throwing for 2,404 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Pickett needs to cut down on turnovers and improve his consistency if the Steelers are going to make a serious playoff push in the coming years. Additionally, while the Steelers have a talented defense, they need to provide Pickett with more offensive weapons, especially at wide receiver. Deontay Johnson and George Pickens showed promise, but an additional deep threat would help open up the field and give Pickett more options.

If the Steelers can address these areas, they could see Pickett take a big leap in year two, which would validate the team’s faith in him.

### Russell Wilson’s Future with the Denver Broncos

While the Steelers are focused on the future with Kenny Pickett, the Denver Broncos find themselves in a very different situation with Russell Wilson. The Broncos acquired Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks before the 2022 season, sending multiple first-round picks and players in return. The trade was met with high expectations, as the Broncos had been searching for a franchise quarterback since the retirement of Peyton Manning in 2016.

However, Wilson’s first season in Denver was nothing short of a disaster. The Broncos, despite having a solid defense and promising weapons on offense, finished with a disappointing 5-12 record. Wilson’s play was a major factor in the team’s struggles. He threw for just 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, and his poor performance led to the firing of head coach Nathaniel Hackett after just one season.

#### What Adam Schefter Says About Russell Wilson’s Future

Adam Schefter recently provided an update on Russell Wilson’s future with the Broncos, and the news is mixed. While there has been some speculation that Denver might move on from Wilson due to his underperformance and the significant investment the team made in him, Schefter reported that the Broncos are not actively pursuing a trade for the veteran quarterback at this time. Instead, the Broncos are committed to giving Wilson another shot in 2023, under the guidance of new head coach Sean Payton.

Payton, one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL, was brought in to help turn the Broncos’ offense around and get Wilson back to playing at a high level. Schefter emphasized that Payton is confident he can fix Wilson’s issues, especially when it comes to his mechanics and decision-making. Wilson has also been reported to be working hard in the offseason to improve his game, and there is hope in the Broncos’ camp that the veteran quarterback can bounce back in a big way.

Schefter’s report suggests that the Broncos are giving Wilson one more chance to prove himself as the player he was in Seattle, but this will likely be a make-or-break season for him in Denver. If Wilson struggles again, the team could look to move on, especially given the high price tag attached to him. But for now, Wilson remains the Broncos’ starting quarterback, with Payton tasked with getting the best out of him.

#### What Needs to Improve for Wilson and the Broncos

For Wilson to have a successful 2023 season, several key areas need to improve. First and foremost, his play in the pocket must be more consistent. Wilson’s mobility and ability to extend plays have been a hallmark of his career, but last season, his decision-making under pressure was often questionable. Improving his accuracy and eliminating the turnovers will be critical to his success.

Additionally, the Broncos need to figure out how to maximize the talents of their offensive weapons. Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton have shown flashes of brilliance, but they need better production to take the pressure off of Wilson. The Broncos’ offensive line also needs to perform better to give Wilson more time to execute plays.

With a new coach and a fresh approach, Wilson will have every opportunity to prove that he is still capable of being a top-tier quarterback in the NFL. However, 2023 will be a defining year for his career, and his future with the Broncos may be on the line.

### Conclusion

Adam Schefter’s latest updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB situation and Russell Wilson’s future with the Denver Broncos shed light on two of the most intriguing quarterback situations in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.

For the Steelers, the future is bright with Kenny Pickett at the helm. The team is committed to developing him into their long-term solution at quarterback, and with a few adjustments to the offense, he could take a major step forward in his second year.

As for Russell Wilson and the Broncos, the 2023 season will be a pivotal one. With new head coach Sean Payton at the helm, the team is giving Wilson another shot, but he must show significant improvement to prove he can lead the Broncos back to playoff contention.

Both quarterbacks are facing critical years in their careers, and the outcomes will likely define their legacies and shape the future of their respective teams.