The Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant move this offseason by signing nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback and former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. Wilson joins Pittsburgh after two disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos. Pundits are divided on whether Wilson still has enough left in the tank to elevate the Steelers' offense to greatness.
Wilson was sidelined at the start of training camp with a sore calf. Though he remains somewhat limited, he made his debut against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason. Steeler Nation was eager to see him make an impact, but he struggled in the game. In five drives, Wilson managed just one first down, was sacked three times, and completed 80% of his passes for only 47 yards.
While some in the media have criticized Wilson, others hesitate to place the blame solely on him for the disappointing preseason performance. The offensive line played poorly, and fans were particularly disappointed with Broderick Jones’ play against the Bills.
Aware of the criticism, Wilson addressed the media on Wednesday, expressing confidence in the offensive line based on their performance in practice. He also revealed that Jones’ talent was a key factor in his decision to sign with the Steelers.
"How well the line has done throughout the whole preseason," Wilson said. "I’m really excited about it. Obviously, we know how great Broderick Jones is and everybody was talking about it. Broderick is a great football player and he’s one of the reasons why I came here because of how talented he is."
The Steelers traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Jones. It took time for Pittsburgh to trust him in the starting lineup as a rookie, but he eventually started 11 games during the 2023 season.
Pro Football Focus graded his overall 2023 performance at 60.7. Many Steelers fans are expecting significant improvement from Jones in his second season, but his preseason struggles have raised concerns among fans and pundits alike.
Jones has been dealing with an injury, though it hasn’t caused him to miss any time. Some pundits speculate that the injury could be contributing to his struggles, while others believe his issues stem from playing out of position on the offensive line. After his tough game against the Bills, Jones declined to speak to the media, stating he needed to meet with a team doctor.
Jones is still adjusting to the NFL, and while his preseason performance against the Bills was concerning, it was just one bad game. Wilson remains confident in Jones and the entire offensive line.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Joined Pittsburgh Because Of Broderick Jones And Company
He chose to join the Steelers because he trusted this unit to protect him and keep him upright. Although the Bills game didn’t go as planned, it’s important to remember it’s only the preseason. There’s no need for concern just yet—if this were the regular season, it would be a different story.
Wilson has been one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the league over the last couple of seasons. Giving him time as a passer is very pivotal for the Steelers offense to operate functionally. Right now, every player is adjusting to new teammates, a new system, and new personnel. It will take time to iron out the kinks and operate smoothly. Wilson isn’t worried, and Steelers fans shouldn’t be either at this point.
