There were mixed reviews across the board when Mike Tomlin announced Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback against the New York Jets, effectively benching Justin Fields. Fields had played well through the first 6 games and was helping the Steelers find a way to win. Technically Fields was never benched; Wilson had been listed as QB1 on the depth chart the entire season. Fast-forward a week or so, and in the short-term, Tomlin seems to have made the correct decision in starting Russ over Fields. Regardless of where one’s opinion lies on the Wilson vs Fields debate, the offensive production against the Jets and Wilson’s passing numbers cannot be denied to this point. Still, given Fields getting the Steelers off to a strong start, it begs the question: Why was Russell Wilson listed as the first-string quarterback heading into the season, and why has he remained there?

The simple answer is that Wilson is more proven in this league and that his play in training camp was stronger. This could be said for any position battle on any squad across the league. However, I think although those things certainly play a large role, the factors behind this decision stem deeper than that.

Other than Russell Wilson, very few players have had success deep in the playoffs. The only two that come to mind are Isaac Seumalo, who played two Super Bowls with the Eagles, and Scotty Miller. Miller won a championship in Tampa Bay with Tom Brady at the helm. Players like TJ Watt and Cam Heyward are great leaders, and I am in no way calling that into question. Still, there is no substitute for experience, and neither man has had large amounts of playoff success to this point in their careers. Russell Wilson brings a different kind of leadership to this Steelers football team. He is not only leading by example on the football field and commanding the offense, but he is showing all the players in the building his work ethic. His process for how he approaches every aspect of the game. His mental toughness and in-game mindfulness to stay composed in key moments and execute. His understanding of how to be successful in January. Those things, while they will never show on game highlights or through statistics, are priceless. They are what separates good teams from great teams.

In his post-game press conference following the win against the New York Jets, Wilson talked about how he felt mentorship and leadership over the team was part of his job. He mentioned that he wanted to give Justin Fields every ounce of knowledge he could in order for him to grow and be successful in the future. He wants to help the young guys on the roster develop to be their best versions of themselves. The passion in his voice was evident as he spoke about this. Following this interview and his performance in his first start for Pittsburgh, one thing was evident to me about Russell Wilson. He is a great leader. Period. He is also a great teammate. He makes this football team better, and his impact is felt way beyond his quarterback play on the field. In contrast, Aaron Rodgers is showing in New York that someone can be a great player but not necessarily a great leader. When I compare the state of the Steelers to the state of the New York Jets in terms of aforementioned leadership, I am grateful as a Steelers fan to witness a player like Wilson wear the black and gold.

While 2024 has not been a perfect season and there are always things to improve upon, Wilson’s presence is making the Steelers better not only in 2024 but for years to come. And it is all because of the type of leader he is.