The Pittsburgh Steelers capped off Sunday Nigh Football against the New York Jets with a 37-15 victory. Russell Wilson made his regular season debut for the Steelers, where Pittsburgh saw the most points scored since the 2021 season (37 points in 2021 in a loss against the Los Angeles Chargers). Many of Wilson's teammates were quick to praise the veteran after his first action for the Steelers, especially Pittsburgh's number one guy when it comes to the receiving game.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5374-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens walks off the field as the team practices during 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
George Pickens, who had his first touchdown of the season in Week 7, spoke very highly of Wilson's performance, hinting that he likes Wilson under center over Justin Fields. Pickens spoke to the media after the Steelers' primetime matchup, commenting on the veteran presence that Wilson presented against the Jets.
"Yeah, like I said previous in the week, a guy going back to back Super Bowls, he knows when guys are blitzing," Pickens said. "His cadence is a little more dominant when [get] guys jumping offsides, you know what I mean? But, like I said on third down and second down, they play a lot of man on man and we took opportunities."
Pickens was all smiles after the Steelers' victory over the Jets on Sunday night. He was involved heavily in the pass game as Wilson threw his signature moon ball to him in two separate occasions (Pickens was able to haul in the first one). Him pointing out about Wilson's ability to read the defense and adjust to it really should have showed the confidence that the Steelers' number one receiver has in Pittsburgh's veteran quarterback. Pickens finished the night with five receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Wilson finished the game with 264 yards passing and three total touchdowns with two being through the air and one with his legs. Wilson played a clean game as well, not turning the ball over throughout the night. Wilson, who took the starting the spot away from Fields, made the most of his opportunity, helping the Steelers' offense put more points on the board than Fields has through his first six starts of the season.
AP
Steelers' Russell Wilson talks to Justin Fields during a game.
The Steelers' offense had 409 yards of total offense against the Jets, the most on the season. Wilson was able to move the ball with ease (especially in the second half) through the air against the New York defense. This was something Fields was unable to do in Las Vegas the week prior. Fields admitted to the media earlier in the week that he has not played well enough to keep the starting role and Wilson may have proved why with his arm.
The Steelers will have another primetime game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 8. After a solid performance from Wilson and how his teammates responded to it, the veteran will likely be out there again. Mike Tomlin has had hope that Wilson would be able to come in and perform at a high level, continuing placing him as the Steelers' starting quarterback on the depth chart the last seven weeks.
After a solid night under the bright lights, it will not come to a shock if the Steelers lean on him once again to beat another New York team, which Pickens would love after his glowing remarks about Wilson's performance against the Jets.
Jared Wickherham / Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens walking out of the locker room.
Steelers' Russell Wilson's Performance Likely To Keep Justin Fields On The Bench
Wilson had a great debut for the Steelers, putting 21 points on the board himself. He was able to move the ball through the air, something that Fields has not been able to do consistently. It is still too early to tell if this performance is enough to solidify Wilson over Fields, but with Tomlin continuing to list Wilson as the starter over Fields through the first seven weeks, it wouldn't be any kind of surprise if Wilson is the starter against the Giants on Monday Night Football. The Steelers now sit at 5-2, inching closer to a playoff berth and maybe an AFC North title.
Do you think Wilson will continue to be the Steelers' starting quarterback? Does Wilson give Pittsburgh the best chance at a Super Bowl? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
#SteelerNation
