Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Mike Tomlin reveals what has allowed Steelers' second-year defender to rebound following early-season demotion

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 1:03 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers' win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday was fueled by a defensive revival. At all three levels, you saw players make plays. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cam Heyward up front, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter jr. and new safety Kyle Dugger in the backend, and that's just to name a few.

But what about the players in the middle, the linebackers? Patrick Queen started the game alongside Malik Harrison as Cole Holcomb missed the game with illness.

That opened up more opportunities for Payton Wilson. Opportunities that hadn't come since his demotion to playing primarily on throwing downs.

And boy did he run with it.

Mike Tomlin not surprised by Payton Wilson's performance against the Colts

"It's a reasonable expectation," said Tomlin when asked about how far Wilson has come since the start of the season via the Pittsburgh Steelers YouTube channel. "A second year player who played a lot last year, made some plays last year. It's a natural progression. When you got a good relationship with the game, you work the way that he works, and you have the talent that he has....I don't think anybody is surprised by the impact and the general trajectory of his game."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by A to Z Sports Steelers (@atozsportssteelers)

After playing an average of 86 percent of the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive snaps in the first two weeks, Wilson averaged just 62% of the defensive snaps over the last five games. He went from starting in base packages to playing primarily on passing downs.

It was done in an effort to shore up the Steelers' run defense, where Wilson was struggling mightily . But on Sunday, he had a breakout performance: 13 total tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup that created a career-first interception for former Ohio State Buckeyes LB, rookie Jack Sawyer.

Have a day Payton Wilson. Tipped pass creates the first career interception for Jack Sawyer. #Steelers

pic.twitter.com/i0yZDS79PR
— Rob Gregson (@NFL_Rob) November 2, 2025

So I think it's safe to say that the Steelers have found the perfect role for Wilson. Someone who is hyper-aggressive, with that kind of speed, hands, and instincts, needs to be heavily involved on a defense that thrives when it forces turnovers.

But he needs time. Time to develop as a run stuffer and mature into the every-down linebacker that he has the potential to be. And in due time, as Mike Tomlin said, that is a reasonable epeection for a player with his potential.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: