The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big move in the 2024 offseason by bringing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to the team. Wilson came to Pittsburgh after two tough seasons with the Denver Broncos.
His first year in Denver was not great, especially under head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos only won four games, with Wilson throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. This performance left many wondering about his future in the NFL.
In 2023, Wilson showed some improvement after the Broncos hired Sean Payton as head coach. While the Broncos still only won seven games, Wilson threw for 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, showing that the former Super Bowl champion might be able to get back to his old form.
Despite this, many expected Wilson to struggle in Pittsburgh while adjusting to a new offense.
However, Wilson has surprised everyone with his performance in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have been winning games, and Wilson is playing some of the best football of his career. On Wednesday, Dan Graziano appeared on “Get Up” and mentioned how confusing it must be for Payton and the Broncos to see Wilson playing so well in Pittsburgh after struggling in Denver.
“I think that the people that coached him the last couple years in Denver are watching this going, ‘How did you guys do that?'” Graziano said. “He’s executing the game plan. He is taking the checkdowns. I think I saw a stat they had 150 yards on checkdowns and screens, right? And what, 245 after the catch?
So it is working because he is behaving. He’s not trying to be the hero, right? And he is doing everything they’re asking him to do. It’s an unbelievable job by Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith.”
Graziano highlighted how impressive it is that head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith have unlocked Wilson’s potential in Pittsburgh. Wilson was once on track to be a Hall of Famer, but his struggles in Denver had stalled his career. Now, in Pittsburgh, his comeback is helping him get back on track, and the fact that he’s winning games puts him back in the conversation for the Hall of Fame.
For the Steelers, making it to the postseason is important, and Wilson has been great. In just six games, he’s thrown for 1,626 yards, completed 65.8% of his passes, and thrown 10 touchdowns with only three interceptions.
Most impressively, he’s led the Steelers to a 5-1 record as their starting quarterback, proving his worth to the team and showing he’s still one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Wilson, Tomlin, and Smith have clearly found a good combination in Pittsburgh. Both Wilson and Smith, who were criticized in 2023 for their struggles, are now having a successful run. They have a chance to prove their critics wrong and lead the Steelers on a deep playoff run.
If Wilson can help the Steelers win some playoff games, it’s likely he will stay in Pittsburgh for the long term. At 36 years old and on a one-year deal, there are reports that both sides want to work out an extension after the season, though how the season ends will play a big role in that decision.
