How Russell Wilson is already impressing the Steelers

Quarterback Russell Wilson hasn't yet taken a meaningful snap as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers but has made a positive impression thanks to what Mark Kaboly of The Athletic referred to on Monday as a "relentless work ethic." 

"One team source said the Steelers haven’t seen somebody work as hard as Wilson at his craft since the early days of Antonio Brown, who was notorious for the effort he put into his game to become the best wide receiver in the league for a span of more than five years," Kaboly explained. 

Wilson earned a Super Bowl ring and nine Pro Bowl nods while with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012-21. Seattle traded him to the Denver Broncos in March 2022, and it was subsequently said that some Seahawks players believed he was "checked out" during his final campaign with the organization. 

More recently, Wilson was blasted for being a "poser" with the Broncos and for struggling to play under Denver head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos ate the largest dead-cap hit in NFL history in order to release Wilson in March, and the 35-year-old later signed a team-friendly contract to join the Steelers. 

"If Wilson did pop his head into the team facility this weekend, it went unnoticed," Kaboly said. "But his presence sure has resonated throughout the organization since the Steelers signed the former Super Bowl champion quarterback in early March." 

Kaboly also noted that Wilson previously organized throwing sessions with Pittsburgh wide receivers in California, has been a mainstay of voluntary workouts and has been spotted at numerous events throughout the Pittsburgh area over the past couple of months. 

While the Steelers also acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick in March, every indication is that the club's starting job is essentially Wilson's to lose this summer. According to Pro-Football-Reference, Wilson finished the 2023 regular season ranked eighth in the NFL among with a 98.0 passer rating. Over 15 games, he recorded 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. 

Those running the Steelers clearly believe Wilson is a great fit for what's expected to be a run-heavy offense this fall. If, however, he stumbles in September, Fields could be asked to save Pittsburgh's season.