Shannon Sharpe had Stephen A. Smith fumbling his words after a rant about new Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson went in a weird direction.
During Monday’s installment of ESPN’s “First Take,” Sharpe discussed the 35-year-old Super Bowl champ being “on the market” — prior to Wilson’s announcement Sunday night that he is planning to sign with the Steelers in free agency — and likened the former Broncos quarterback to a “fine chick” who drives a Bugatti and carries Birkin bags.
“No matter how fine a chick is, no matter how many [Hermès] Birkin bags or Chanel purses she has, if she’s on the market, what does that tell you?” Sharpe said. “She could be a dime. She could have a mansion. She can drive a Bugatti with Rolls-Royce… If she’s on the market, what does that tell you Stephen A?
Smith, who seemed lost for words, started shouting and asked what Sharpe was trying to say.
“What’s good for the goose might not be good for the gander,” he said, smirking. “… What’s wrong with that?”
Sharpe went on to explain that he’s not ready to cheer on Wilson in Pittsburgh.
“If he was what you believe that he is, that you’re hoo [and] ha-ing and you want me to have on pom poms… why would he be on the market?” Sharpe said, to which Smith asked, “Is he a significant upgrade to what the Steelers had last year? Yes or no?”
That’s when Sharpe took things to another level.
“Bologna is an upgrade over potted meat. I don’t want either one of them though!” he said.
“That’s what we’re doing?” Smith asked. “Bolonga’s your first name now? Really? … Shannon [is] crazy. I can’t believe Shannon just said that.”
Smith then called on ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky to intervene and they moved on.
On Sunday, Wilson took to social media with a video post confirming he will take his talents to the Steelers in his forthcoming 13th NFL season.
“Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers,” Wilson wrote, including a 50-second hype video of Steelers fans cheering at Acrisure Stadium.
That same night, Wilson and his wife, Ciara, were all smiles on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills.
The Broncos announced last week they planned to cut Wilson after the start of the new league year.
The nine-time Pro Bowler will sign a team-friendly, one-year deal with Pittsburgh, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wilson will receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.21 million, The Associated Press reported, with the Broncos having to pay the rest of the $39 million they owe him for the season.
Wilson reportedly had a six-hour meeting with Steelers officials, including head coach Mike Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, on Friday.
The quarterback also met with the Giants for a reported “exploratory meeting” as their QB1, Daniel Jones, is rehabbing from a torn ACL.
Wilson went 7-8 last season before being benched for the final two games of the season.
There was also reported tension between Wilson and Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
In two seasons with the Broncos, Wilson tallied 6,594 passing yards, 42 touchdowns and 19 interceptions across 30 games played and compiled an 11-19 record.