The Pittsburgh Steelers are dialing up a play straight from the Pacific Northwest. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah just dropped a bombshell that’s music to Steelers fans’ ears: Russell Wilson is set to be the ringmaster of this Steel City circus, with Justin Fields watching from the sidelines – for now, at least.
“It’s Russell Wilson’s gig,” Jeremiah declared On The Rich Eisen Show, putting to bed any quarterback controversy faster. He added, “I know there was a lot of talk about him and Fields. It’s Russell Wilson’s gig, and everything I’ve been told, they’ve been impressed with how he’s thrown, thrown with anticipation.”
Jeremiah painted a picture of Wilson that’s more Renaissance than retirement. “I’m really pleased with what I’ve heard coming out of there with Russ,” he said, describing Wilson’s dedication as “off the charts.” It seems the veteran QB has been burning more midnight oil than a lighthouse keeper, all in the name of team chemistry.
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But here’s where it gets interesting. The Steelers aren’t just handing Wilson the keys to the kingdom; they’re rolling out the black and gold carpet with a gameplan that’s pure Seattle nostalgia. Remember when Wilson was cooking up victories like a five-star chef in the Emerald City? Well, Pittsburgh’s about to serve up a similar feast.
The “Seattle Formula” isn’t just about Wilson’s arm talent. This is the strategy that helped Wilson lead the Seahawks to two Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos with a daunting 43–8 score. It was the game in which Wilson contributed two TDs for 206 yards and a QB rating of 87.8. Now, this same game plan appears to be on the cards for arguably Wilson-led Steelers.
How Russell Wilson fits into the Steelers’ strategy
The Steelers aren’t just dusting off an old playbook; they’re bringing back a winning formula that made Russell Wilson the talk of the town. It’s all about balance – run the ball, play smart, and let Russ cook when the moment’s right. As Jeremiah noted, “When you look at what they’ve done in the investment in the offensive line… and what they can do to maul you in the run game with those two backs, I think we kind of see that formula.”
This formula isn’t just about stats. Remember “The Immaculate Deflection” in the 2014 NFC Championship? Wilson’s improbable pass deflected off a defender’s hand, found Jermaine Kearse for a game-winning touchdown. It’s these kinds of plays that the Steelers are hoping to recreate. Jeremiah stressed how the Steelers have been impressed with Russ’s ability to “throw with anticipation.”
The beauty of this ‘Seattle Formula’ is that it is about playing smart, protecting the pigskin, and striking when the iron’s hot. As Jeremiah put it, “He’s not the same Russ that he was, but I think he can go out there, protect the football, play efficiently.” Wilson himself seems to be embracing this new chapter with enthusiasm as he told reporters during the minicamp, “It feels great. Everybody’s so excited. I think the best part, too, [is] the energy’s so high. The way we work, it’s so competitive. Every rep feels like a playoff rep.”
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It’s pretty clear that presently this is more of Russell Wilson’s show and Justin Fields is awaiting his time to come. Emmanuel Acho, speaking on ESPN’s SPEAK, said recently: “You don’t bring in Justin Fields because you don’t think Russell Wilson’s gonna be successful. You bring in Justin Fields because you think, ‘Man, this guy could be our quarterback maybe for now, but also for the future.'”
The Steelers are banking on Wilson’s proven track record of success. His eight Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl XLVIII victory speaks volumes about his ability. It’s going to be one wild ride in the Steel City this season. The question might not be if Wilson can succeed in Pittsburgh, but rather, how high can he soar in the black and gold? What is your take on Wilson carrying the Steelers camp to new heights?