Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been in search of stability on the quarterback place. Forward of the 2024 season, they introduced in Russell Wilson, hoping he could possibly be their answer. A calf damage pressured Wilson to overlook the primary six video games of the season. He shortly settled in as soon as wholesome, profitable six of his first seven video games as a starter. But, the Steelers nonetheless misplaced their means in direction of the top of the yr, shedding their final 5 video games for the primary time this century.
Former operating again turned analyst LeSean McCoy doesn’t suppose Wilson failed the Steelers, although. In reality, he thinks it was the opposite means round. On The FS1’s The Facility on Friday, former NFL operating again LeSean McCoy thought Wilson gave extra to the Steelers than vice versa.
“I’ve watched Russ [Russell Wilson] assist this staff out,” McCoy mentioned. “I watched Russell Wilson assist the Steelers out greater than a coach serving to Russ out. You thought, going to a Steelers staff, they’d a fantastic protection, and nice tradition. That’s all Russ must be with to be a winner. Nicely he didn’t get that. The protection was not good for Russ. And Russ was the one one which was truly placing some factors up and balling.”
McCoy could also be proper in his argument that each one Wilson wants is sweet protection and training to win video games. That’s the system the Steelers adopted early in his tenure because the starter. Pittsburgh gained six of the primary seven video games with Wilson on the helm. Whereas he lit up the scoreboard in a few of these wins, he was helped by a protection which was enjoying cohesive soccer.
But, that protection dwindled in direction of the top of the yr. As soon as that occurred, it turned clear that it’s rather more troublesome for the 36-year outdated quarterback to win video games with out that assistance on the opposite facet of the ball. Statistically, Wilson didn’t fall off a cliff, though some may disagree. The protection was simply giving up extra factors, and he couldn’t overcome that.
On the free agent market this yr although, Russ stays a high choice for Pittsburgh. Other than Aaron Rodgers, one of many solely different free brokers who might land a beginning position this offseason is Sam Darnold. McCoy had some ideas on Darnold as properly, and claimed that he would select Wilson over him.
“I take a look at Sam Darnold. It’s like all the things needed to work properly for him,” McCoy mentioned. “He had a fantastic coach. He needed to get a extremely nice huge receiver core, needed to get a extremely nice protection. And that also wasn’t sufficient for him.”
Whereas McCoy might have been overtly constructive in his evaluation of Wilson, he makes level about Darnold right here. Darnold did win 14 video games final season, which is 4 greater than the Steelers did. His 14-3 document certain appears to be like higher than Wilson’s 6-5 document within the common season. But, Darnold had a protection that held agency up till the final two video games of the yr. He additionally had Kevin O’Connell to assist, a finalist candidate to win Coach of the 12 months.
Primarily, Wilson might have much less expertise round him to succeed, which could make him a greater choice than Darnold. Nonetheless, because the Steelers’ five-game shedding streak to finish the yr proves, he can’t do it on his personal. Wilson might land the beginning job in Pittsburgh once more in 2025. If he does, the Steelers might want to put a stronger roster round him.
