Steelers' Payton Wilson Gets Praised For His Relentless Desire To Play Smart, Punishing Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the 2023 regular season believing that the linebackers room had been fully addressed. Unfortunately, the team was ravaged by injuries that took out two linebackers for the season and hobbled several more. During the 2024 offseason, Pittsburgh once against invested heavily in the middle linebacker position in both free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. Former Baltimore Ravens defender, Patrick Queen is excited to be bringing stability to the position alongside one of Pittsburgh's intriguing rookie selections.

After playing in Baltimore for the first four seasons of his NFL career, Queen's signing by the Steelers was seen as an indication that the franchise was willing to make big moves to shore up the linebackers room. Another addition to that group is rookie Payton Wilson out of North Carolina State. Despite knee injuries during college, Wilson was widely seen as one of the more talented linebackers in the 2024 draft class. Queen spoke to the media following Pittsburgh's second day of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and praised Wilson and his approach to the game.

"Athlete. Uh, got that mindset. You can kind of tell, uh, the way he talks, you know, he's really a smart player, but you can tell that he's really, like, 'bout that action with football. So, um, that's the type of guy you want in your room."

Wilson compiled an incredibly impressive collegiate career, including winning the Butkus Award in 2023 as the top linebacker in the country. The former Wolfpack defender tallied 46 games played in college but his ability to remain on the field and healthy was questioned throughout the draft process. Before even getting to college, Wilson tore his ACL in his senior year of high school before another injury to his knee, forcing Wilson to redshirt his freshman year at NC State.

After putting his knee injuries behind him, Wilson got bit by the bug again with a season-ending shoulder injury a mere two games into the 2021 season. In spite of constant interruptions to his playing career, Wilson never wavered, and that tenacity has him wearing black and gold in Pittsburgh. He stayed healthy and productive for his final two seasons with the Wolfpack, which played a large role in NFL teams having enough remarkable tape to overlook those concerns.

The Steelers took the time to fully evaluate Wilson and his injury history, coming away feeling confident that not only would Wilson be able to stay on the field, but his playing time would be productive. Ever since Ryan Shazier was lost with a career-ending back injury, Pittsburgh has been looking for a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker to command the middle of the field. If Wilson's health is legitimately not an issue, Pittsburgh may have found someone to begin filling those Shazier-size shoes.

Steelers Hoping To Avoid A 2023 Repeat

While there is positive information about Wilson's love for the game and how his injuries won't be an issue in 2024, the Steelers spent the 2023 season struggling in no small part due to a slew of linebackers lost. Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander both went down with season-ending injuries, Pittsburgh had to bring Myles Jack out of retirement to fill the gap, and Elandon Roberts powered through despite his own injury issues. Pittsburgh is hoping that those problems won't resurface in 2024, but if it does, at least the team has options available.

Holcomb is still in the process of rehabbing his brutal knee injury and Wilson is just starting to get his feet wet in the waters of professional football, but both linebackers will be watched closely as team activities continue. With Queen and Roberts ready to make an impact, the Steelers would love to have the issue of too many talented linebackers to have on the field all at once. If both Holcomb comes back without missing a step and Wilson can earn his way onto the field (and then stay on it), Pittsburgh would have a linebackers room filled to the brim with ability.

What role will Wilson end up playing for the 2024 Steelers? Comment below.

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