It's an important week for NFL scouting departments and front offices. As the East-West Shrine Bowl wrapped up its practices, Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices began on January 28. There was a flood of NFL personnel and media members in attendance. As always, the Steelers had representation on hand in Mobile, Alabama.
After Art Rooney II spoke with Rob King in a one-on-one interview, it doesn't look like fans will be getting the monumental changes they hoped for. Regardless, it's time to forge ahead. This week, two veterans have been named as Pro Bowl alternates and the Steelers' brass has started scouting the Senior Bowl talent.
Russell Wilson named as Pro Bowl alternate
With Josh Allen backing out of the Pro Bowl Games, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will take his place. From a statistical standpoint, Wilson had a respectable season which included 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 regular-season starts—good for a 95.6 passer rating.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson has been named to the Pro Bowl games to replace Josh Allen
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) January 28, 2025
Wilson gets the nod as a QB alternate at the Pro Bowl despite Pittsburgh's monumental late-season collapse which included 14 points per game and an 0-5 record over the final five contests of the year (including the playoff loss to the Ravens).
Mike Tomlin, Steelers brass on hand for Senior Bowl Week
As sure as death and taxes is Mike Tomlin's appearance on the pre-draft scouting trail. Just like he does every year, the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach is in Mobile, Alabama scouting out the talent on hand ahead of April's 2025 NFL Draft.
Tomlin wasn't the only prominent Steelers member in attendance. Joining him was general manager Omar Khan, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as well as director of pro scouting Sheldon White and director of player scouting Mark Sadowski, per Nick Farbaugh of PennLive.
Steelers personnel I’ve seen at Senior Bowl:
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 28, 2025
Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, Teryl Austin, Arthur Smith, Sheldon White, Mark Sadowski.
Likely more, but the heavy hitters are out here per usual.
The biggest no-show was assistant GM Andy Weidl, who does much of his work from the office. Tomlin and Khan could be seen scouting the defensive line group in individual drills on Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices.
Isaac Seumalo makes Pro Bowl as alternate
Russell Wilson isn't the only Steelers veteran making a late addition to the Pro Bowl roster this year. Wilson will be joined by starting left guard Isaac Seumalo.
Steelers OL Isaac Seumalo has been named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) January 28, 2025
The 31-year-old offensive lineman was an underrated player for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career. Seumalo was signed by the Steelers during the 2023 offseason. Since then, he has started all 30 games he suited up for.
This is Seumalo's first Pro Bowl appearance, and it comes as he prepares for his 10th NFL season.