Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington was going about his usual practice routine recently when something unexpected happened. While running his route, the ball came his way, but Washington wasn’t expecting it.
He wasn’t sure where he was in the play’s progression, and he figured he wasn’t one of the top options. He was positioned behind several wide receivers and running backs, all trying to catch the quarterback’s attention. But quarterback Russell Wilson, not liking what he saw, quickly changed direction and found Washington wide open for a big gain.
When asked if he was surprised to catch the ball, Washington admitted, “A little bit. I don’t know. I don’t know what was going on with the other people.”
Wilson, on the other hand, knew exactly what he was doing. The Steelers (9-3) have been performing well, partly due to the excellent play of their 36-year-old quarterback, who has been spreading the ball around to everyone.
Last week against the Bengals, Wilson completed passes to 10 different players, throwing for 414 yards. While star wide receiver George Pickens got his share, Wilson also connected with tight ends like Washington and MyCole Pruitt, as well as other players like wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who caught a 23-yard pass that set up one of Wilson’s three touchdown throws.
Skowronek shared, “You never know when it’s coming your way.”
With Wilson at the helm, the Steelers have had 14 players catch at least one pass this season, including Mike Williams, who made a game-winning 32-yard reception against Washington. Skowronek, who had spent part of the season on injured reserve, was unsure of his role when he was rehabbing. But now, with Wilson leading the offense, there is no set “line” of who gets the ball.
Wilson, a former minor league second baseman, compared the situation to baseball, saying, “You’ll never hit a home run if you don’t swing. And I really believe that you’ve got to swing, you’ve got to trust guys. You’ve got to be able to trust yourself.”
This attitude has helped Wilson find success after a rough period in Denver. The Steelers quickly signed him to a one-year contract, and Wilson quickly built chemistry with his new teammates. It began with private throwing sessions in San Diego, which later turned into team dinners and late nights reviewing game tapes with first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
This hard work has paid off on the field, with Wilson making crucial plays that showcase his developing connections with his teammates. For instance, tight end Pat Freiermuth was in the right spot for a 25-yard touchdown after Wilson scrambled.
And against the Bengals, Wilson made a last-minute audible that resulted in a 43-yard gain to Van Jefferson, setting up a game-winning field goal.
Spreading the ball around has helped with team morale. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith explained, “Morale is a big part,” and added that it’s important for players to feel involved and not like “decoys” during every play. When opponents have to defend multiple options, it gives the offense an advantage.
Skowronek believes that Wilson’s experience helps him lead the offense effectively: “Russ has seen every coverage. He’s ran all these concepts before. So he knows progressions like probably the back of his hand.”
Wilson also understands the importance of being unselfish and giving all players a chance to make plays. “I think that the best part about it is that we’re all super close,” Wilson said. “And I think that bond is really everything too, and just the understanding of each guy and the relationships that we have together, it’s fun. We’re having a great time.”
The Steelers are averaging 28.7 points per game since Wilson returned from a calf injury that kept him out for the first six games of the season. For the first time in a while, Pittsburgh doesn’t have to rely solely on its defense.
Head coach Mike Tomlin is still cautious about the idea of engaging in shootouts, given his background in defensive coaching. But it’s reassuring to know the Steelers can match other teams’ scores when needed.
Looking ahead, the Steelers may face a tough test against the Cleveland Browns, who put up more than 500 yards in a recent loss to Denver. If that kind of high-scoring game happens, Wilson is ready to take whatever steps necessary and involve whoever is needed, regardless of their experience or reputation.
“We got to love that part of it,” Wilson said. “We can’t fear it. We’ve got to want it. We’ve got to expect it. We’ve got to embrace it. We’ve got to challenge that. We’ve got to be in those moments and be locked into that moment. I think we do an extremely good job of that.”
