The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have some consistent quarterback play after two years of struggling at the position since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. Over the last two years, Pittsburgh has either had a rookie at quarterback, or a player with that hadn't proven themselves. Now, Pittsburgh has Russell Wilson at the helm, who has over 12 seasons of starting experience at the NFL level. Wilson has led Pittsburgh to a 5-1 record through his first six starts, and the Steelers look like they have the potential to be serious contenders in the AFC.
Pittsburgh has been searching for good quarterback play ever since Roethlisberger retired, and Wilson has been playing at a high level ever since taking over the starting job. He is clearly a true leader at the position, which is important for the Steelers, a team with a considerably young offense. Running back Najee Harris spoke to the media following the game, and he compared Wilson to Roethlisberger, who he played with for one season.
"Just [Wilson's] experience, and obviously the knowledge of everything within the game." Harris said. "He knows things inside and out. Russ coming in with his experience, telling us certain things in the huddle, we need that. The time I've been here, other than Ben, we've really had like a younger quarterback, or really just not a lot of experience. That's one thing Russ has, just his knowledge of the game, the same as Ben. Ben would do stuff like that, these guys have played 10 plus years."
Other than his one season with Roethlisberger, Harris has spent a lot of time with younger and unproven quarterbacks. The players on that list include Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph. None of them are the same level of player or leader as Wilson and/or Roethlisberger.
Pittsburgh's offense clearly has a lot more confidence with Wilson at quarterback than it did at any point in the 2023 season. The change at offensive coordinator helps as well, but having a true leader at signal-caller takes a lot of pressure off of other players. Harris spoke more about what Wilson brings at the quarterback position.
"You need a guy like that." Harris said. "One who kind of knows, I think him and maybe [Cordarrelle Patterson]. I think those are the guys that got the most experience. Other than them we're all find of like fourth-year, fifth-year, third-year, second-year. We need like kind of a veteran guy, and that's Russ."
Wilson is the best quarterback Pittsburgh has had since Roethlisberger, and the same can probably be said about Justin Fields. Fields was able to produce in a good way during his time as the Steelers starting quarterback, but the difference between him and Wilson is in their experience and leadership abilities.
Steelers Expected To Want To Keep Russell Wilson Around Past 2024
Wilson signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh during the 2024 offseason, and he will hit free agency after the 2024 season comes to a close. Pittsburgh probably wants to keep him around, despite the veteran quarterback being 36-years old.
The organization will need to choose between Wilson and Fields as they likely won't be bringing both quarterbacks back, and it seems like they will lean more towards Wilson.
