The importance of the quarterback position in today’s NFL is irreplaceable. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been forced to find this out the hard way since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
It’s the engine that drives the team, the voice that calms the huddle, and, when needed, the spark that can carry an entire roster to victory. Pittsburgh knows that. In fact, that understanding is what led Omar Khan and the Steelers’ front office to make bold, decisive moves this offseason in pursuit of efficiency and stability under center.
Unfortunately, that pursuit didn’t include Russell Wilson.
Now a member of the New York Giants, Wilson showed the Steelers exactly what they let walk out the door. On Sunday, in front of a national audience and against a Dallas Cowboys team touted as one of the best in the NFC, Wilson forced overtime after trailing most of the game with grit, precision, and playmaking.
Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns, looking every bit like the quarterback Pittsburgh fans saw flashes of last season. The 36-year-old also threw a pick late in overtime, trying to make a play down the field.
More than the stats, it was the feel of Wilson’s game that stood out. He looked fluid, confident, and in complete control of Brian Daboll’s offense. His moon ball connection with rookie wideout Malik Nabers torched Dallas repeatedly—eerily reminiscent of the chemistry he developed last year with George Pickens in the black and gold.
His efforts resulted in a 40-37 loss, but his outstanding numbers were noteworthy enough to ponder if Pittsburgh moved prematurely.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did not look much better without Russell Wilson in Week 2
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh couldn’t buy a spark in their own 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Steelers looked flat, the offense was stale, and the quarterback play—despite the presence of future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers—lacked the magic Wilson displayed. Rodgers, still shaking off the rust after returning from injury, did his best to make things happen. He threw two interceptions, but earned 201 passing yards and a touchdown pass.
And while there's plenty of time left in the season, the early comparison between him and Wilson doesn’t favor Pittsburgh enough.
This isn’t to say Rodgers won’t come into his own. He’s still one of the smartest, most talented quarterbacks to ever play the game. But in the here and now, with both teams sputtering, it’s fair to ask: Did the Steelers actually improve their quarterback room by letting Wilson go?
It’s a hard question—one that fans in Pittsburgh will be asking all week, especially as Wilson’s Giants build momentum.
The decision to move on from Wilson wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
He had an up-and-down season in Pittsburgh, and with Rodgers available, it was easy to see the allure. But after Sunday’s performance, it’s clear Wilson has found new life in New York. He’s developing in Daboll’s system and doing the very thing Pittsburgh hoped he would do last year—put his team in position to win.
If Week 2 told us anything, it’s that Russell Wilson isn’t done. Not by a long shot. And as he continues to shine in the Big Apple, the Steelers may be left wondering if, in trying to upgrade their most important position, they ended up letting go of the answer they already had.