The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most impressive organizations in NFL history. This is largely due to rostering two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game in Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. Both have been major contributors on Super Bowl-winning teams, and each player has accomplished a litany of individual milestones. Bradshaw has already been inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, and Roethlisberger will be once he becomes eligible in 2027. This is because he finds himself near the top of most quarterback statistics, but Russell Wilson is set to surpass him in one in 2024.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger escapes the pass rush during Super Bowl XL.
There are plenty of all-time statistics that quarterbacks want to rank near the top of, like passing yards and touchdowns thrown. Roethlisberger ranks fifth and eighth in those categories, respectively. He also is in the top 10 of all major passing statistics. Then, there are categories that it isn't necessarily good to rank high in. One of these is times sacked, which Roethlisberger ranks in the top five of. Roethlisberger was sacked 554 times throughout his career, which has him currently ranked as third on the all-time leaderboard.
Only two quarterbacks have been sacked more in NFL history, Fran Tarkenton and Tom Brady. Brady played five more seasons than Roethlisberger, but was sacked just 11 times more. The long-time Steelers quarterback will have the opportunity to be bumped back to fifth on this list during the 2024 season, thanks to Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
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Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson points towards some of his teammates as the offense prepares to run a drill during 2024 mandatory minicamp in Pittsburgh, PA.
Wilson is currently slated at fifth on the all-time list, having been sacked 527 times in his 12-year career. Rodgers is in fourth place, being sacked on 531 occasions. Wilson needs to be sacked 27 times during the 2024 to tie Roethlisberger's career total of 554. Hopefully this doesn't happen, as sacks have been a real concern in Wilson's game.
On average, Wilson is sacked roughly 44 times per season. If he meets his average, he will easily clear Roethlisberger's mark. It would also likely mean that the Steelers' offensive line is struggling, and Wilson is holding onto the ball for far too long. He has led the league in times sacked twice during his career, most recently during the 2022 season.
In 2022, he was sacked 55 times, which marked the second time he eclipsed 50 sacks in his career. There are quarterbacks like Drew Brees who played 20 seasons in the NFL and finished their career with 100 less sacks than Wilson has had in 12 seasons. It's negative plays like sacks and turnovers that have been Wilson's kryptonite, and if they continue, fans could be preparing to see Justin Fields.
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Troy Fautanu (left) and Zach Frazier (right) work on blocking drills during Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
Steelers Doing Everything Possible To Aid Wilson
The offensive line has been a point of emphasis for the Steelers' front office for several years. They have selected tackles in the first round of back to back drafts, and have focused on finding offensive linemen in later rounds as well. In 2024, Pittsburgh could be expected to start two rookies on the offensive line, as well as a second-year player in Broderick Jones.
Rookie linemen Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier starting for the Steelers could be worrisome, as it is never easy to transition to the NFL at any position. However, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has never been one to throw rookies into the fire, unless they are truly ready. Defensive Rookie Of The Year finalist Joey Porter Jr. didn't even see his first start until Week 8 of the 2023 season. If the rookie linemen start, it means the coaching staff knows they are ready as they have been tested against one of the best pass rushes in the league during practice.
Wilson will also have the benefit of operating in a run-heavy offense under Arthur Smith. The run is a big part of the Steelers' identity. It should open up the passing game swiftly, that way Wilson doesn't have to hold onto the ball for too long.
Do you think Wilson will pass Roethlisberger on the all-time sacked list? Comment below.
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