Growing up just 60 miles from Pittsburgh, I have always had black and gold in my veins. Apart from a brief stint in 1986 when I lived in Oakland, California, I have spent my entire life within a stone’s throw of Three Rivers Stadium, then Heinz Field, and let’s face it, it will always be Heinz Field to many of us die-hard fans. Despite my youthful stubbornness that kept me from being a Steelers fan, I couldn’t escape the Steel Curtain’s influence all around me.
Steelers’ Determination: All Eyes on Russell Wilson
I’ve got a pretty solid read on what the Steelers are made of, thanks to the relentless passion of the fans and the indomitable spirit of the team. Right now, I believe that head coach Mike Tomlin is set on starting the season with Russell Wilson as the quarterback. Despite the electric buzz among fans for Justin Fields, it seems Wilson is Tomlin’s lead horse.
The Decision-Making Drama
Yes, Tomlin has been diplomatic, stating Wilson is in the “pole position” for the job. But the vibe around the team suggests that Fields hasn’t clinched it from Wilson, even with Wilson being sidelined by injury at the start of camp. When push comes to shove, and both QBs played recently, Fields brought a level of excitement and a dynamic edge to the offense.
Wilson, during his limited snaps on Saturday night, unfortunately, looked more like his Denver days rather than his MVP-caliber Seattle years. The calf strain and an overwhelmed offensive line didn’t help his case, making it hard to see his true potential.
But Tomlin seems convinced that Wilson’s rocky time in Denver was just a bump in the road. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he have lifted the phone to get the lowdown from Denver coach Sean Payton on what went wrong and what to expect from Wilson?
Tomlin’s Insight and the Road Ahead
Tomlin has had the luxury of observing Wilson’s career since his NFL debut in 2012. Adding to this is an Eastern Virginia connection that’s played a part in Tomlin’s decisions before. Besides, he can always revert to Fields if Wilson doesn’t meet expectations.
Another card in Wilson’s favor is that three of the Steelers’ first six games are against AFC West teams, where Wilson has spent the last two seasons. It all kicks off with a trip to Denver in Week 2. Wilson’s return to Denver and familiarity with the Chargers (Week 3) and Raiders (Week 6) could be motivating factors.
Starting the season with two road games will give Wilson a buffer from the potential boos of the home crowd should he falter. He’ll have two full games to potentially build momentum and confidence away from the cauldron of Yinzer criticism. If he can lead the Steelers to an early 2-0 start, the home crowd will be much more forgiving in Week 3 against the Chargers.
The Prime-Time Pressure Cooker
Weeks 5 and 7 will be crucial, featuring Sunday night showdowns against the Cowboys and Jets, followed by a Monday night battle against the Giants just before their bye week. These standalone games will put Wilson in the spotlight. If he isn’t ‘cooking’ by then, it might be time to let Fields take the reins.
Only time will tell, but it feels like Tomlin wants to give Wilson the first shot at redemption, aiming to unlock the brilliance he showed in Seattle. If Tomlin’s gamble pays off, Wilson could steer the Steelers farther than anyone expected. And if it doesn’t, well, there’s always the Fields option waiting in the wings.
