Russell Wilson: Officially confirmed as starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Head coach Mike Tomlin has officially announced that Russell Wilson will lead the Pittsburgh Steelers as the starting quarterback into the 2023 season. This decision confirms what has been apparent for months. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback, was considered the favorite immediately after his signing in the spring. Nevertheless, Tomlin consistently emphasized that Justin Fields should be given a genuine opportunity for the position. However, this plan was hindered when Wilson suffered a calf injury during a conditioning test. This injury significantly limited him during the first two weeks of training and prevented his participation in the first preseason game. Despite these limitations, Wilson consistently maintained the top spot on the depth chart, which was a clear indication that he would take the field from game one. Further evidence of this was his limited playing time in the third and final preseason game, which is typically reserved for the designated starter. Statistically, Wilson played six offensive series in the preseason, completing 10 out of 12 pass attempts (83.3 percent) for a total of 73 yards. This led to three three-and-outs and one touchdown. Fields, on the other hand, completed 19 out of 27 pass attempts (70.4 percent) for 199 yards and gained 48 yards on 13 rushing attempts. Despite similar performance statistics and a limited sample size, experience speaks in favor of Wilson. With two Super Bowl appearances under his belt and outstanding leadership qualities, he appears to have the coaching staff's trust. The core question now is whether Wilson can hold his position. After two difficult years in Denver and at the age of 35, it remains questionable whether he can regain his old form. Especially since Fields had ample opportunity to practice with the first offensive unit during training camp, the Steelers might be prepared to make a change during the season if the offense does not perform as expected. Wilson is characterized by an excellent deep pass and a low risk rate. Since entering the NFL in 2012, he has completed 35.4 percent of his passes over 30 yards and has averaged only 0.73 turnovers per game. These skills align well with a team that heavily relies on defense and running plays. Nevertheless, the question arises whether these skills are sufficient to make the Steelers a serious contender. Wilson's recent past is marked by numerous sacks and fumbles, which also emerged during the preseason. In his debut game against the Bills, he was sacked three times in five series, which is cause for concern. From a schematic standpoint, the new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, prefers to attack the middle of the field with tight ends—something that does not fit Wilson’s playing style. It will be necessary for either the Steelers or Wilson to adjust their current tendencies to make this partnership successful.