Steeler Nation Holds Its Breath: Russell Wilson Ready to Take the Reins
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to face off against the New York Jets on Sunday night, quarterback Russell Wilson is sending a clear message: he’s ready to start. After aggravating his calf injury in early September, Wilson has been working tirelessly to get back to full strength. This week, he took first-team reps in practice and led the quarterback rotation in individual drills, signaling that he’s poised to reclaim his spot as the team’s starter.
A Season of Ups and Downs
Despite being active for the first time this season against Las Vegas last week, Wilson didn’t see any game action. However, he’s remained optimistic, using his time on the sidelines to focus on his physical and mental preparation. “I’m more myself physically, being up and running and all that stuff, so I feel good,” Wilson said on Thursday. The quarterback’s resilience is admirable, especially considering he’s never missed games before.
Leading by Example
Throughout his journey, Wilson has emphasized the importance of leadership and embracing challenges. “You want to be able to move around, and obviously I’ve never really missed games before, so that’s been a challenge in itself,” he reflected. “It’s been disappointing, but also I’ve grown a lot, too. I think that you realize that you just continue to love every day. You continue to find ways to lead, you continue to find ways to just embrace the challenges, the hard stuff, the obstacles in our way and everything else.”
A Nod to Justin Fields
When asked about the potential awkwardness of a quarterback change, Wilson praised Justin Fields, who has led the Steelers to a 4-2 record in his absence. “I think Justin’s done a great job,” Wilson said. “I think he’s a tremendous quarterback. I’ve fought against him over the years. He’s a tremendous football player, a great teammate and all that.” Wilson’s graciousness is a testament to his commitment to the team’s success.
Drawing from Past Experience
Wilson’s experience being benched for Jarrett Stidham in Denver last season has taught him valuable lessons about perseverance and leadership. “I went through a challenge last year. Kind of unexpected along the way, and that was challenging itself,” he recalled. “But at the same time, you lead with love. You lead with love for the game, love for your teammates, just love for what you get to do every day.”
One Goal in Mind
As the Steelers look to make a push for the playoffs, Wilson remains focused on the ultimate prize: a Super Bowl championship. “I came here for one reason. That was to win the Super Bowl. That was to go as far as we could and see where we could go with it,” he said. With Wilson back at the helm, Steeler Nation can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what’s to come.
Leave a Reply