Mr. Unlimited Happiness? Wilson Reveals Key to Leadership

It may have soured relationships in Seattle and got him on the wrong side of the wrong people in Denver. But Pittsburgh has found itself another leader to push its culture forward, and its younger players are taking notice.

Offensive tackle Broderick Jones recently remarked on Wilson’s unflappable leadership, and how – even through adversity – the quarterback’s positivity hasn’t wavered. Wilson elaborated on his attitude on Thursday.

“It takes a lot to get me mad,” Wilson said, per Mark Kaboly. “I don’t know. I think growing up and seeing my dad fight what he fought through, seeing some of the stuff I had to go through – the great things, the tough things, and it takes a lot to get me upset.”

Wilson has, at the very least, dealt with some uncertainty during his time in Western Pennsylvania. Joining Justin Fields in the quarterback room, Wilson missed most of the summer with his injury before an untimely setback gave his counterpart the starting job.

Despite knowing that flaming out in Pittsburgh would likely be his last chance to start, Wilson remained steadfast in his support. Fields played well, the Steelers started out 4-2, and there was an awful lot of criticism waiting for head coach Mike Tomlin when he announced that Wilson would step in.

Wilson took it in stride and improved upon Fields’ early-season performance, something Wilson attributes to a relic of both quarterbacks’ past – baseball.

“I think, more than anything else, though, I believe in great things,” Wilson said. “I just believe that the best is ahead. I’ve always said that. I always believe in the next play. I think it’s the baseball in me. Maybe I just love baseball too much, and played a lot of shortstop, a lot of second base, and pitched too dang much. But I just believe in the next pitch. In life and in the next day, the next morning, and you renew our mercies every morning.”

Through Week 14, Wilson has thrown for 1,784 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions with the highest yards per attempt of his career (8.4). He has meshed with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith well, has the backing of the locker room, and – most importantly – has kept the Steelers on the right track amidst a difficult second-half schedule.

For the first time since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, Pittsburgh has a quarterback worth rallying around. Wilson’s simply repaying the organization for rolling the dice on him.

“So it’s hard to get me upset, but I get passionate for sure. I’m a guy that, when we’re playing, you know, between the white lines, there’s fire there. But, man, I just try to lead with a heart of gratitude in every situation.”