The Pittsburgh Steelers' players reported to their dorms on Wednesday, and their first practice got underway on Thursday. However, fans quickly noticed that new quarterback Russell Wilson was not participating. Many were curious whether this was a case of veteran treatment or if there was another reason for Wilson not taking reps on the first day of camp.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Russell Wilson speaks to the Pittsburgh media.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media following the first official practice. According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Tomlin held Wilson out of practice as a precaution.
Mike Tomlin says Russell Wilson woke up this morning with calf tightness, and it was a coaches decision to sit him today and create “short-term misery” for Wilson. Tomlin says Wilson wanted to practice this morning, but he held him out.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 25, 2024
He mentioned wanting to create some "misery" for Wilson, implying that the decision was more about managing expectations and keeping Wilson eager rather than any physical concerns. Wilson was desperate to practice, but Tomlin decided to hold him back for now. Wilson woke up with tightness in his calf which created him not taking any reps on the first day of camp.
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
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.
Steelers' Justin Fields Gets Extra Reps With First Team
Steelers backup quarterbacks Justin Fields and Kyle Allen took the bulk of the snaps during practice. It must have been uncomfortable for Wilson, the presumed starter, to sit back and watch. Fields is actively competing for the starting job, adding an element of competition. It seems Tomlin and the coaching staff are playing some mind games while also exercising caution with Wilson, possibly to keep him sharp and motivated.
Wilson joins the Steelers eager to prove he can still play quarterback at an elite level. During his time with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson dominated the league. After being traded to the Denver Broncos, he signed a five-year, $242 million contract.
Broncos fans had high hopes that Wilson could lead them back to being Super Bowl contenders, but the team struggled to win games with him. In his first season, Wilson won just four games, throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Under Sean Payton in 2023, the team still struggled, finishing 7-8 with Wilson at quarterback.
However, Wilson's personal stats improved significantly, with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Despite this improvement, the Broncos were so unimpressed that they paid millions to part ways with him. Now, Wilson joins the Steelers determined to prove he wasn't the problem in Denver and to secure a long-term future in Pittsburgh. To achieve that, he'll need a strong performance in the 2024 season.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Quarterbacks Justin Fields (#2) and Russell Wilson (#3) during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 OTAs.
With Wilson sidelined, Fields got extra reps on the first day of camp. Fields is competing to take the starting job, adding pressure on Wilson to perform. Wilson is eager to return to the field and reclaim his position with the first team. He knows he can't afford to lose any ground in the competition.
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