Football fans and experts cannot fathom why Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made the quarterback change from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson. After all, Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record while scoring ten touchdowns (five passing, five rushing).
However, Wilson placed those doubts to rest after outplaying four-time NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers in their 2024 Week 7 Monday Night Football showdown. Wilson finished the game with 16 completions out of 29 passing attempts for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Meanwhile, Rodgers had 24 passes for 276 yards, a touchdown, and two picks.
More importantly, Wilson’s return helped the Steelers improve to 5-2 with a resounding victory over the New York Jets, who are now at 2-5 even after adding Davante Adams. Likewise, Wilson was the clear winner of this showdown because he completed a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Russell Wilson in his Steelers debut
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 21, 2024
16/29
264 YDS
2 TD
Went from being down 15-6 to winning 37-15 pic.twitter.com/CELGwySkH8
Wilson’s first touchdown pass after recovering from a calf injury was an 11-yard strike to George Pickens that helped trim New York’s lead to three, 15-12. In the fourth quarter, Wilson found Van Jefferson in the end zone for a four-yard score that stretched Pittsburgh’s advantage to 14 points, 29-15.
In addition to his solid stat line, Wilson broke Earl Morrall’s record (249) for most passing yards by a quarterback making his Steelers' debut.
This performance is an excellent start for Wilson, who is under a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Steelers. Dishing out more of these performances should put Pittsburgh’s quarterback controversy to rest.
-Lance Fernandez