Now 36 years previous, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson is just not the primary one who involves thoughts when discussing mobility on the place. That’s clearly Lamar Jackson, however the Steelers’ different quarterback, Justin Fields, is up there in that dialog as nicely. Don’t let that cease Mr. Limitless, although, as a result of he thinks he nonetheless has the juice.
To his credit score, Wilson was till just lately the third-leading rusher amongst quarterbacks in NFL historical past. Whereas Jackson just lately swept the rostrum, Wilson ranked behind simply Mike Vick and Cam Newton. However we’re speaking about 12 months 14 Russell Wilson now, who rushed for a blistering 155 yards in 2024.
“I can nonetheless stand up and go”, Wilson claimed on The Pat McAfee Present yesterday. “However I believe as you proceed to evolve, I attempt to facilitate the ball to the precise guys on the proper time and getting it to them within the air as a lot as doable. Letting them do their factor, after which when it’s time, utilizing your legs”.
The issue is, Wilson isn’t as nimble transferring round within the pocket, both. In reality, he bears plenty of accountability for the Steelers’ points in move safety in 2024. Certain, he had the occasional play that regarded like “the previous Russ”, however as typically as not, he simply regarded like an previous Russ. Quarterback mobility, even when not a deficiency, is just not his robust swimsuit at this juncture.
“My means to get outdoors and bare boot and play-action boot, that’s at all times been an enormous half, and nonetheless is a large half” of Wilson’s recreation, he mentioned. He added he believes he nonetheless does this stuff “extraordinarily nicely. You attempt to not spin out and do loopy stuff on a regular basis. However whenever you want and also you’ve bought to do it”, he believes he can. “I’m at all times engaged on my pace”.
Shortly after the Steelers’ season ended, Wilson posted a video of himself coaching. He instructed McAfee he can “nonetheless stand up to 19-20 miles an hour and nonetheless be ok with it”. However coaching pace is just not the identical as in-helmet pace, both. Let’s simply say he didn’t crack the 20 quickest recorded speeds of the season.
The Steelers are getting into an offseason through which they haven’t any quarterbacks underneath contract from 2024. They solely signed Russell Wilson to a one-year contract, and given how the season ended, they could be reconsidering future plans.
Many, in actual fact, appear to consider the Steelers will flip to Justin Fields over Wilson. Fields began the primary six video games of the season after Wilson injured his calf pushing a sled in coaching camp. How a lot did that damage have an effect on his mobility all through the season? That’s exhausting to say, however it’s not like he has rushed for 500-plus yards just lately.
