Steelers' Russell Wilson Gives Direct Response To Fans Who Booed And Chanted For Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin faced a tough decision at quarterback, as Justin Fields had taken full advantage of his opportunity, leading the team to a 4-2 record while Russell Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury. 

Despite Fields' strong performance, when Wilson returned to full health, Tomlin wanted to see what he had in the veteran quarterback and former Super Bowl champion. Tomlin made the unpopular choice to bench Fields and start Wilson, despite Fields playing well and keeping the Steelers in the win column.

Wilson made his Steelers debut in Week 7, under the bright lights of primetime football against the New York Jets. The game started slowly for Wilson, but he eventually found his rhythm, passing for 264 yards and two touchdowns. 

However, the Steelers’ offense struggled early on, and the home crowd grew restless, showering Wilson and the offense with boos. Chants for Fields echoed throughout the stadium, but Wilson remained composed, continuing to fight through the adversity.

After the game, Wilson was asked how he felt about the fans booing and chanting for Fields. He responded thoughtfully, giving a detailed and insightful answer. 

"Yeah, it’s a great question and I think first of all, I really believe in being neutral," Wilson said. "You know, not being too high and not being too low. You know my old mental coach who passed away a couple of years ago would always tell me to stay the course."

Wilson explained how his former mental mindset coach had equipped him years ago to handle moments like the one he faced against the Jets. With fans booing and beginning to doubt Tomlin’s decision to start him instead of Fields, it would have been easy for Wilson to let the negativity get into his head. 

However, he chose to stay focused on the next opportunity for the Steelers offense, maintaining his composure and determination to lead the team to success.

"I think coming into this game we had a couple of things early that we could have had," Wilson said. "I felt like it was playoff baseball out there. I started off 0 for 2 and it felt like I was gonna get hot. I kept telling Coach [Mike Tomlin] I’m gonna get hot here."

Wilson continued to detail how the offense got going.

"Sure enough we did. We did a great job," Wilson said. "Guys did a tremendous job upfront giving me enough time to make throws and guys to make plays down the field. I just think it’s the love of the game. I’ve played so many games and I just know every game is different."

The Steelers entered the game against the Jets as slight underdogs, with pundits believing that the desperate Jets, bolstered by the addition of Davante Adams, would pose a tough challenge for Pittsburgh. This matchup was considered a statement game for the Steelers, showcasing their potential against a formidable opponent.

Steelers' Wilson Shines In Regular Season Debut 

There was plenty of uncertainty and curiosity surrounding what the offense would look like with Wilson at the helm. However, after Wilson’s impressive performance on Sunday night, Steelers fans have every reason to feel optimistic about his future contributions to the team. 

Wilson delivered a standout game, leading the Steelers to a resounding 37-15 victory. The defense and special teams also played exceptionally well, culminating in a collective effort that pushed the Steelers to a 5-2 record for the season.

Wilson deserves credit for maintaining his composure during challenging moments in the game, especially as fans began to doubt him while he was still shaking off some rust. His ability to focus and execute under pressure ultimately contributed to the team’s success and likely solidified his role as the starting quarterback.

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