Russell Wilson, who joined the Pittsburgh Steelers seven months ago, has been named one of the team’s four captains for the 2024 season. His teammates elected him for this leadership role, recognizing his veteran experience and calming influence on the team. Miles Killebrew, another captain, highlighted Wilson’s ability to guide players through challenging situations due to his extensive experience in the NFL.
Wilson’s leadership role was further solidified after being named the Steelers’ starting quarterback over Justin Fields, despite dealing with a calf injury during training camp. His signing with the Steelers in March was partly due to his impressive NFL resume, which includes a Super Bowl win. Head coach Mike Tomlin noted that Wilson’s achievements and professional conduct were key factors in his selection as a starter and captain.
The Steelers have a tradition of naming their starting quarterback as a team captain, a practice that continued with Wilson’s selection. Previous captains include Kenny Pickett in 2023 and Mitch Trubisky in 2022. Wilson’s consistent leadership throughout his career is evident as he was also a captain during his tenure with the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, making him a team captain for 12 consecutive seasons, excluding his rookie year.
Wilson’s new role as a captain is seen as an essential addition to the Steelers’ leadership, especially on the offensive side. Cameron Heyward, another team captain, expressed confidence in Wilson’s ability to fulfill the leadership needs of the team and mentioned the possibility of Wilson seeking guidance from other veteran leaders like himself and T.J. Watt.
Alongside Wilson, Killebrew was elected captain for the third consecutive season, Heyward for the tenth, and Watt for the fourth. Heyward emphasized the value of Wilson’s experience, noting that Wilson has reached career heights that even veteran players like himself and Watt aspire to achieve. The team is hopeful that Wilson’s leadership will contribute to their collective success.
