From “Russ!” chants to boos and back again – Russell Wilson‘s Steelers debut had enough drama for a prime-time special. Just ask the Acrisure Stadium crowd, who switched from demanding Justin Fields in the first quarter to singing Biz Markie and Mac Miller two hours later. Wilson orchestrated 31 unanswered points against the Jets.

The veteran quarterback’s transformation from early-game rust to record-breaking brilliance painted an inspiring comeback story. His 264 passing yards set a franchise record for a debut, silencing critics and vindicating coach Mike Tomlin’s controversial decision. Yet, NFL insider Albert Breer sees storm clouds gathering over this sunny narrative.

“Based on what I had heard and how he looked in practice, I wasn’t surprised by the way he looked in the first quarter,” Breer revealed on The Herd, pointing to the quarterback’s early struggles that saw him complete just 2 of 6 attempts. Those opening-quarter jitters matched the whispers from Pittsburgh’s practice field, explaining why “people on the coaching staff and the locker room wanted to keep Justin in there.”

Wilson’s remarkable turnaround – connecting on 14 of 23 attempts for 245 yards in the final three quarters – showcased his resilience. His deep-ball accuracy particularly sparkled. He hit 5 of 6 attempts on passes traveling 10+ air yards, averaging a stunning 24.8 yards per attempt. This aerial show brought George Pickens to life. The receiver hauled in 111 yards and credited Wilson’s “pre-read, seeing what coverage it is before he says hike.”

But Breer’s crystal ball sees trouble ahead. “I’m not convinced that this is going to look the same way over the next month with teams having tape on him,” he cautioned. The insider’s doubts stem from a deeper understanding of Pittsburgh’s quarterback conundrum.

Wilson himself acknowledged the early struggles, comparing it to a baseball player starting 0-for-2 at the plate. “You catch the wave, and once you find it, you don’t let go,” he said after the game. But Breer’s insights suggest this wave might crash sooner than later. The Steelers face a crucial decision about their quarterback’s future.

Mike Tomlin’s bold gamble splits Steel City

While the New York Jets victory sparked celebration, Tomlin’s decision to bench a 4-2 quarterback stirred controversy in Pittsburgh’s corridors. Yet Breer sees method in the apparent madness. “If you go with Russell Wilson and give that a swing, you can easily go back to Justin Fields if that doesn’t work,” he explained. Also, “but if you go with Justin Fields, you cannot go back to Russell Wilson,” he added.

The head coach embraced the solitary nature of his choice. “I went Lone Ranger,” Tomlin declared, adding with characteristic directness, “If it doesn’t work out, I’ll take the heat, I’ll shoulder the blame, no problem.” His mission extends beyond weekly wins – he’s “trying to win a world title here,” a goal that demanded seeing Wilson’s potential firsthand.

Wilson himself downplayed any quarterback controversy. Praising Fields he called him “a tremendous quarterback, a franchise quarterback.” The veteran’s post-game demeanor reflected his mental coach Trevor Moawad’s advice to “stay the course” – a philosophy that helped him weather those early-game boos.

For now, Wilson “is scheduled to take first-team reps” as Pittsburgh prepares for their next challenge. But in the Steel City, where championships set the standard, Breer’s warning echoes: past glory doesn’t guarantee future success.