When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Payton Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it was with the hopes that he could finally be the answer to the long-troubled linebacker position. But after a phenomenal rookie season, Wilson has fallen back down to earth in 2025... and things could go from bad to worse.
It began early in the season. As Wilson got off to a slow start, highlighted by his struggles in run defense, Mike Tomlin didn't allow him to work through his hiccups. Instead, it was veteran Cole Holcomb who was inserted into the lineup for early-down work.
Though Wilson had some impressive games this season, his performance took a step back overall from what we saw last year. Now the athletic Steelers linebacker might receive the ultimate demotion just in time for Christmas.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have failed LB Payton Wilson in the worst way
Since veteran Malik Harrison returned from injury, the Steelers have called on the bruising linebacker to aid a struggling Pittsburgh run defense. Harrison does his best work when coming downhill (much like former Steelers linebacker Vince Williams).
Sadly, Tomlin's view of Harrison has him quietly placing Payton Wilson on the bench.
Wilson out-snapped Harrison by just one snap in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills (53 to 52). Then, in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins, Wilson saw his role diminish to the lowest point this season. The talented linebacker was on the field for just 21 defensive snaps. This was eight fewer snaps than Harrison and 29 fewer snaps than Patrick Queen.
Here's the worst part: Wilson hasn't been credited with starting a game since his excellent Week 8 showing against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football—a game that Wilson flashed while the rest of Pittsburgh's defense played poorly.
The reasons for the demotion are hardly justified.
Queen has struggled worse than Wilson in terms of consistency and being a liability in pass coverage. However, his high-profile reputation and lofty contract prevent him from getting a demotion.
At 6'4'' and 240 pounds with 4.43 speed and splash play ability, it's wild that Coach Tomlin found a way to stunt the potential of such a talented linebacker, but here we are. Instead of trending up in his second NFL season, Wilson is heading toward disaster as he watches his once-prominent role diminish.
With Tomlin, it's all about who he thinks can offer him the most help at this exact moment in time; it's not about developing young players to maximize the upside of his roster for the future. The gross mishandling of Payton Wilson's talents is just the latest example.