Many questioned head coach Mike Tomlin when he announced Russell Wilson would replace Justin Fields as the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And although the Steelers would like to turn more red zone trips into touchdowns, one thing is becoming clear through two games with Wilson as the starting quarterback. The veteran’s insertion into the starting lineup has provided a jolt to the offense. And, perhaps, pushed the 6-2 Steelers into the conversation as a playoff contender.
Russell Wilson brings veteran presence to Steelers offense
In ways big and small, Wilson’s presence in the huddle and behind the center has been a catalyst. Yet the most noticeable change is an expected one.
Wilson has been one of the NFL’s best deep ball passers throughout his career. A month from his 36th birthday, he can still sling it. The Steelers had nine pass plays of 20-plus yards through six games with Justin Fields starting. They have nine such plays in two games with Wilson at quarterback.
Sometimes, it’s the trajectory. Wilson’s high-arcing deep ball in the third quarter last week allowed Van Jefferson to make an adjustment and run under it for a 36-yard gain. Other times, it’s the pinpoint accuracy; like on the 43-yard completion that Wilson threaded between two defenders along the sideline to find George Pickens in stride in the fourth quarter.
Russ to Pickens. What a throw. What a catch. 🎯
📺: #NYGvsPIT on ESPN/ABC/ESPN2
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/zbMQPqm3hF— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024
It’s also the experience Wilson brings. The Steelers package plays, like every NFL offense, so it’s not as if they overhauled the process when they changed streams behind center. However, Wilson’s ability to diagnose coverages at the line of scrimmage and get the Steelers into the ideal play has shown up time and again.
Opening the offense
On Monday night, Wilson completed 71.4 percent of his passes. It’s obvious he has the confidence to fit the ball into tight windows. That’s allowed him to give Pickens chances on 50-50 throws.
Pickens averaged 4.3 receptions for 60.5 yards through the first six games while Fields was starting. He’s boosted those numbers to 4.5 catches per game for 92.5 yards per contest in the last two with Wilson, catching his first touchdown of the season against the New York Jets before the two that were called back Monday night.
While Pickens has been the biggest beneficiary, Wilson’s emergence has also given Calvin Austin III and Jefferson a chance to show that the Steelers have more depth at receiver than many believe.
Over the first six weeks, Austin had 10 catches for 167 yards and a touchdown, and Jefferson had eight grabs for 62 yards. Over the last two weeks, Austin has four catches for 90 yards and a TD, and Jefferson has six for 77 and a TD.
The ever-present threat of the pass has opened up the offense in new ways.
While offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo’s return from injury and Mason McCormick’s emergence has helped create holes for Najee Harris, the fact that the Steelers can punish teams when they load the box has opened more opportunities for the rushing attack. They’ve gone from a run-heavy offense that sprinkles in the occasional deep ball to a dynamic, balanced offense that can expose a defense in a variety of ways.
The 426 yards of offense against the New York Giants eclipsed the season-high of 409 against the Jets. It’s the first time since 2018 that the Steelers have eclipsed the 400-yard mark in back-to-back games, even after sluggish starts in both contests. So it’s no hyperbole to say this is the best this offense has looked since the pre-elbow-surgery Ben Roethlisberger days.
A good start, but more to go
It’s not perfect. The Steelers still need to improve across the board to become the team they hope to be. Turning field goals into touchdowns will be important when the Steelers face higher-quality opponents. Penalties again pushed them back, as they were flagged four times on offense.
Wilson lost a fumble inside his own 40-yard line while leading by eight with less than five minutes to play. That led to some nervous moments before T.J. Watt bailed the team out with a strip-sack and Beanie Bishop sealed the contest with his third interception in two games.
And while the offense fought through hiccups Monday night, the defense has quietly had its issues, too. The run defense has suddenly become inconsistent, and the issues allowing explosive plays have returned.
Still, the Steelers enter their bye week sitting atop the AFC North. Their 6-2 start is better than expected, and the AFC doesn’t look as grueling as it once appeared.
When the Steelers resume the season in Week 10, the competition will get tougher. Going into Monday night, the Steelers had played the sixth-easiest schedule. However, they will face the seventh-toughest remaining schedule, according to FTN Fantasy’s DVOA. They’ll face arguably their biggest test to date in Week 10 when they travel to face Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. They also have the three-games-in-10-days gauntlet against the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs in December, the first two of those on the road.
For those reasons, the Steelers still have some boxes to check before they establish themselves as contenders capable of making noise deep in the postseason.
But with Russell Wilson lifting the offense to heights not seen in years, the Steelers enter the bye on a three-game winning streak and with an optimistic feeling of what could be.
