PITTSBURGH – It’s time to rally, Steelers fans!

In his debut as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson steered his new team to a convincing 37-15 win over the New York Jets during “Sunday Night Football.” Wilson completed 16 of 29 throws for 264 yards and two touchdown passes, as well as a rushing touchdown, helping the Steelers outgain Aaron Rodgers and the Jets 409-323, much to the disappointment of Jets receiver Davante Adams on his first game with New York.

“There’s a reason he’s achieved what he has,” Steelers left guard Isaac Seumalo remarked to YSL News Sports. “He was throwing the ball with confidence.”

Wilson’s performance started tentatively, giving off the impression of a quarterback who hadn’t played yet this season. Thirty-one minutes after being announced to cheers as the starting quarterback in the opening huddle, he faced boos from the Steelers fans as he led the team to two three-and-out possessions in the first quarter.

“I thought Wilson did great. He improved as the game progressed,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “I expected that. It had been a while since he’d played, but he acclimated, shook off the rust, and effectively distributed the ball.”

Tomlin, now in his 18th season with the Steelers, mentioned he learned a lot about Wilson’s game-day approach and preferred communication style.

“It was a valuable experience for me,” Tomlin stated.

Wilson was 8-for-17 in the first half, with 44 of his 145 passing yards coming from a jump ball to George Pickens, who caught Wilson’s first touchdown in Pittsburgh from 11 yards away, bringing the Steelers to a lead just before halftime.

Pickens (five receptions for 111 yards) noted that Wilson has a knack for reading defenses and effectively communicating blitzes. His confident cadence provided a boost to the offense. The Jets showed man-to-man coverage on some plays, which the Steelers capitalized on, according to Pickens.

Wilson entered the 2024 season expected to be the starter until a calf injury set him back in training camp. Justin Fields took the helm for the first six games, leading the team to a 4-2 record, despite some offensive struggles.

“Last week it was Justin. This week it’s Russ,” Pickens mentioned. “Both reached 30 points, so I feel like we’re all coming together as a team.”

This marked the first time since the 2020 season that Pittsburgh scored 30 points in consecutive games.

“If you can score like that in Pittsburgh, that’s a positive,” said Seumalo.

True to Steelers style, the defense created many opportunities, while Najee Harris found his rhythm, rushing for 102 yards on 21 carries. Wilson’s touchdown run extended the Steelers’ lead to eight points midway through the third quarter, and his touchdown throw to Van Jefferson in the fourth quarter capped off his debut on a strong note.

“I kept telling the coach, ‘I’m going to hit my stride,’” Wilson recounted. “And sure enough, we did.”

Wilson credited Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for allowing him to play freely, and praised his teammates for remaining available for passes. The play-calling enabled him to find a rhythm, with Smith reassuring him that it might take some time to fully settle in.

“Sometimes you need that first big hit to get going,” Wilson admitted while reflecting on postseason baseball.

Despite his injury, Wilson retained a leadership role in the Steelers locker room. Right guard Mason McCormick expressed admiration for Wilson’s focused work ethic and deliberate practice habits.

“He’s one of the most focused individuals I’ve ever encountered,” said Seumalo. “Whether playing or sidelined, he stays committed and consistently puts in the effort.”

Pittsburgh is compensating Wilson $1.2 million this season, while the Denver Broncos are still responsible for part of his five-year extension from when they traded for him from the Seattle Seahawks in March 2022.

In western Pennsylvania, any speculation of a prolonged quarterback competition isn’t how the Steelers or Wilson view the situation.

“We’re in a great spot,” Wilson remarked. “There’s a lot of outside chatter that casts this in a negative light and suggests an internal rivalry, but we just want to win.”

Wilson spent less than two seasons as the starting quarterback for Denver, where head coach Sean Payton had decided that his future would not be tied to Wilson’s. The Steelers, looking to move on from Kenny Pickett, saw a chance to upgrade their roster with an experienced veteran.

“We are fortunate to have two excellent quarterbacks on our team,” McCormick stated. “We believe in whoever is leading us on the field.”