The Steelers Way Is Natural To Russell Wilson Who Is Revitalizing This Part Of Pittsburgh's Culture

The Pittsburgh Steelers went 18 seasons with Ben Roethlisberger providing offensive leadership. When Head Coach Mike Tomlin was hired, Roethlisberger had only spent three seasons in the league and had already won a Super Bowl. While he was far from the only leader on that team, Roethlisberger's long tenure provided stability and gave Tomlin one less thing to worry about. 

In the post-Roethlisberger years, it was clear that the "Steeler Way" was missing. Kenny Pickett didn't have the experience to be that kind of leader. The offense was collectively so young that it felt like part of a different team from the more cohesive defense. The addition of Russell Wilson has brought that Pittsburgh culture back to the offense.

Former Steelers offensive lineman, Craig Wolfley joined Randy Baumann on The DVE Morning Show and said he sees Wilson as a player who embodies that spirit of Pittsburgh sports. He isn't focused on himself and has even been seen extending his hand to others, especially Justin Fields. Wolfley said it was all over his face during an exchange captured during the win over the New York Giants. The two were seen laughing and talking on the bench like genuine friends. Baumann said that you never heard about this when they were with the Denver Broncos or the Chicago Bears. 

"Apparently, that is not the same culture there as it is here," said Wolfley.

Wilson arrived in the Steel City after being essentially run out by Denver's Head Coach, Sean Payton. He came with more warnings than the Surgeon General issues: he is not a team player, brings drama, is selfish, and is washed up. 

His critics said that his teammates disliked him because he is a diva. This had all of Steeler Nation watching him out of the corner of their eye, just waiting for the shoe to drop. Wolfley said they were wrong, Wilson just inherently understands how it is done in the Steel City.  

"That was given to me, I gave to them a decade later," explained Wolfley. "And you take them under your wing. You show them this is what it's like to prepare; this is what I do for my weekly preparation thing. I gotta meet all these things boom, boom, boom before Sunday, and we line up. That's how it's done, and that's what's happening with Russ. Russ is able to mentor, and a lot of times, you just follow him around. Jon Kolb, Mike Webster, I followed them around. I saw what it was like to go in and lift early. I saw what it was like to go in and do film review. I saw what it was like to take notes."

Wolfley said that Wilson often described is not the Wilson we are seeing in Pittsburgh. Instead, we have found a quarterback who not only understands and embraces the Steelers' way, but also embodies it. Fields has real potential, according to Wolfley, who called him a "diamond in the rough." Mentoring from Wilson could help Fields find the success he has been missing. 

Steelers' Craig Wolfley Learned And Taught the Steelers Way

When Wolfley was drafted in the fifth round in 1980, he joined a team with many 1970s legends on it. That included Sam Davis, who won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh. Wolfley said they both knew that he was there to replace Davis. Instead of being obstinate, Davis was the first to extend a hand to Wolfley and taught him how to be a Steeler. 

During Wolfley's final seasons in Pittsburgh in the late '80s, he said he paid it forward and helped his replacements, Brian Blankenship and John Rienstra. Later, they did the same, and the tradition continued on both sides of the ball through the decades. While the offense may have lost its way a bit because of all the changes in the past few years, Wilson seems to be helping get them back on track. 

Do you see Wilson carrying on the Steelers way? Click to comment below. 

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