Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin boldly decided to start quarterback Russell Wilson during their Week 7 game against the New York Jets. Wilson was originally meant to be the starter from Week 1. However, a calf injury at the beginning of training camp sidelined him and gave Justin Fields a shot to start. Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 beginning to the season, far better than most expected.
Wilson's calf injury seemed to linger until well into the season, leading many to think that Head Coach Mike Tomlin would choose to stick with Fields since they were winning. Tomlin refused to tell the media what he had definitively decided, but thanks to a slip from wide receiver George Pickens, everyone was confident it would be Wilson.
The former Super Bowl winner did indeed get a chance to start. Tomlin indicated he felt he had a tool and wanted to evaluate it fully before committing to anyone. Much of the fan base and the media were astounded by the decision, feeling it might blow up in Tomlin's face. That's why when Wilson got off to a slow start, the boobirds didn't hesitate.
On his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Hewyard, Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and his co-host Hayden Walsh discussed the game against the Jets. Heyward defended his fellow team captain. Walsh, a lifelong Steelers fan, said he was disappointed that the crowd started booing so quickly. He said they should have given him time to settle in and not be so reactionary.
"I just say, be patient, man," said Heyward. "You know, everything happens for a reason. Trust the process. Trust in the team. Trust that we have your best interests at heart. Trust in Russ. Trust in us. I think, you know, it's not always going to be what you want, but it's what you need, and that's all that matters."
Walsh said he had a kind of epiphany during the chants for Fields. The fans don't know what's going on behind closed doors. There is always a reason why Tomlin is making his decision. As fans, we don't have to love it, but we can't change it. These complainers hadn't even given Wilson a full quarter to try to get his sea legs under him.
It is a fair expectation. After all, Wilson hadn't taken a snap in a regular season professional football game since the Denver Broncos' 2023 Christmas Day loss to the New England Patriots. Wilson threw 25 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in that game. Head Coach Sean Payton had been done with having Wilson under center and leaped at the chance to bench the nine-time Pro Bowler.
Regardless of how much experience Wilson has, there is nothing that replicates playing in a game. In addition, everything surrounding him is new: the team, the coaches, the receivers, his linemen, and so on. Once Wilson did settle in, he picked up rhythm and helped defeat the Jets 37-15.
Is Steelers' Mike Tomlin A Coach Of The Year Candidate?
The minute it was apparent that Tomlin's decision had paid off, at least for the Jets game, fans began to sing his praises. Many of the ones who'd been booing only minutes before were now exalting him and bragging on social media about his genius.
This has led to conversations about whether Tomlin will finally receive the AP Coach of the Year Award. In his 18th season as Pittsburgh's head coach, Tomlin has won one Super Bowl and has never experienced a losing season.
That is why Ray Fittipaldo, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently said that he believes Tomlin has a real shot at winning this year. He is impressed by the decision to start Wilson, the young players' growth, and how he has dealt with the numerous injuries.
On his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Hewyard, Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and his co-host Hayden Walsh discussed the game against the Jets. Heyward defended his fellow team captain. Walsh, a lifelong Steelers fan, said he was disappointed that the crowd started booing so quickly. He said they should have given him time to settle in and not be so reactionary.
