The veteran quarterback, Russell Wilson, is currently averaging 271 yards per game this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking a career-high performance.
When Pittsburgh made the decision to change quarterbacks midseason, it raised many eyebrows. After a 4-2 start under Justin Fields, the decision to switch to Wilson for the Oct. 20 game against the New York Jets was met with skepticism. ESPN’s Mina Kimes questioned the reasoning behind the move, with former Steelers safety Ryan Clark expressing similar confusion. Marcus Spears, a former Dallas Cowboys defensive end, also voiced concern about the potential risks of going back to Wilson if he struggled early in the game.
Wilson’s early-season absence due to a calf injury and his recent struggles—posting an 11-19 record over the previous two seasons—only added to the uncertainty. His performance with the Denver Broncos had been so poor that the team incurred a historic $85 million cap penalty to part ways with him. Even after his release, Denver still owed Wilson $39 million, allowing the Steelers to sign him for a one-year deal worth just $1.21 million, a bargain considering the $37.79 million Wilson received from the Broncos.
So, why did the Steelers make this risky move, benching a promising young quarterback in Fields for a veteran coming off a rough patch? The answer lies in Wilson’s performance since taking over the starting role in October. Over the last six games, Wilson has led the Steelers to a 5-1 record, significantly improving the offense. Under his leadership, Pittsburgh’s scoring jumped from 20.7 to 28.7 points per game, with Wilson passing for an impressive 271 yards per game—a career best and the second-highest in the NFL this season.
Although Wilson may no longer possess the scrambling ability that made him a star with the Seattle Seahawks, he has compensated by being more effective in the passing game. His yards per attempt are at a career high, and he’s experiencing his lowest sack rate since 2021. In Week 13, Wilson threw for 414 yards, leading the Steelers to a 44-point performance against the Cincinnati Bengals—a game that would have been difficult for Fields, who often struggled to surpass 200 passing yards, to win.
Despite his strong performance, Wilson faces a tough stretch in December. After a loss to the Cleveland Browns, Wilson will face tough competition against the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs, all of which are potential playoff teams. These games will test Wilson’s ability to perform against the league’s elite teams, and could play a major role in determining playoff seeding.
As the Steelers head into the final stretch of the regular season with a 9-3 record, Wilson’s leadership has propelled the team to new heights. While questions about his selection as the starting quarterback were justified early in the season, it’s clear that Wilson has proven himself as the right choice for Pittsburgh.