Russell Wilson was at the Pro Bowl after his impressive rookie season over ten years ago, practicing with quarterbacks whose success he admired.
Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning were all there. While that week in paradise was enjoyable, Wilson remembers the practices more than the perks.
As someone who is passionate about the game, he found inspiration among the Super Bowl winners.
“I just learned and watched a lot,” Wilson said. “I have just always believed in understanding and learning every play. There’s never a play off. There’s always something we can gain, something we can learn and see.”
Now, almost twelve years later, that curiosity and attention to detail are still strong. This was clear during Wilson’s careful recovery from a calf injury that kept him from watching the Pittsburgh Steelers start the season 4-2 without him.
Even when his participation was limited, Wilson dressed fully and mimicked everything from the cadence to handoffs while backups Justin Fields and Kyle Allen took the live reps. He also stayed close to first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Wilson doesn’t apologize for this approach. His job is to run the offense, and he believes that the more he knows, the better he can perform. If that means closely observing the playcaller, he’s all for it.
“I’m constantly asking questions,” Wilson said. “(I’m) not afraid to ask the questions or bring something up if we think it’s going to help.”
This isn’t about being a favorite; it’s about being a professional. The nine-time Pro Bowler knows how crucial this season is for his career. He is on a one-year “prove it” deal, and Fields has played well in his absence.
There was no time to waste for Russell Wilson. Whether at practice, in the film room, or during games, he was focused. This might be why he has adapted so quickly with the Steelers, who are heading into their bye week with a 6-2 record after a 26-18 win over the New York Giants on Monday night.
Two weeks ago, coach Mike Tomlin surprised some people when he asked Wilson to help Pittsburgh find a spark it has missed since Ben Roethlisberger retired three years ago.
It’s hard to argue with the results.
The Steelers have gained over 400 yards in both of Wilson’s starts, something they haven’t done since 2018. While there is still much to improve—like avoiding stalled drives in the red zone—there are also many reasons to be hopeful.
For the first time in a long while, Pittsburgh’s offense looks strong enough to win even if the defense struggles. Wilson’s deep passes remain impressive, and he has mostly avoided mistakes, completing 36 of 57 passes for 542 yards, a franchise record for a quarterback in his first two starts with the team.
“We have great confidence,” Wilson said. “(But) we haven’t done anything yet.”
That’s true. All the moves the Steelers have made over the past ten months have been aimed at ending their playoff victory drought, which has lasted since 2016. Pittsburgh isn’t there yet.
However, for the first time in a while, it seems possible.
