The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a striking move by naming Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback for the upcoming NFL season. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Steelers, who are set to benefit from Wilson's experience as he enters his 13th NFL season.
Wilson comes with a robust resume, but his journey hasn’t been without challenges. Over his career, he has been sacked a staggering total of 527 times, averaging 43.9 sacks per year. This figure places him among the most beleaguered quarterbacks in the league, and he is poised to break the dubious record for the most career sacks. The current official record is held by Tom Brady, with 565 sacks, while Fran Tarkenton's unofficial record stands at 570. By the end of the 2024 season, Wilson is projected to reach approximately 570.9 sacks.
Despite these statistics, Wilson remains undeterred. "I never had it to keep me going," he says, in reference to whether doubt energizes him. "I've never been -- I don't know why --- I've just never been worried about what other people think." His mental fortitude is further reinforced by his faith. "I think ultimately I focus on, as I mentioned to you guys -- obviously my faith means everything to me. God chose me for this, and He chose me to play this game," Wilson explains. "I'm one of 32 men in the world that get to do what I do, get to play this game every day."
Wilson's adaptability and resilience will be crucial as he steps into the spotlight with the Steelers. Pittsburgh faces a challenging schedule this season, including critical matchups against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12 and Week 14, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. If Wilson loses to both teams, he will add them to the list of 29 different NFL teams that have defeated him, potentially tallying losses to 31 teams. Only a select number of quarterbacks, ten to be precise, have losses to 30 different teams, with Derek Carr among the active players in this category. The Saints will give Carr opportunities to add to his total with games against the Raiders and the Panthers in Week 1 and Week 9, respectively.
Adding another layer to the narrative is Joe Flacco, currently a backup with the Colts, who also holds losses to 30 different teams. Flacco has yet to lose to the Detroit Lions, and the Colts will face this opportunity in Week 12.
For the Steelers, the focus will initially be on their Week 1 game against the Falcons, where fans will get their first glimpse of Wilson in black and gold. However, the depth of the quarterback position is not limited to Wilson alone. Justin Fields is on the roster as a potential contender for the starting role if Wilson does not meet expectations. The internal competition could push both athletes to elevate their game, fostering a dynamic that might be crucial as the season progresses.
Wilson's leadership and unwavering self-confidence will be under the microscope from day one. The expectations are high, and the pressure is real, but Wilson’s veteran presence could be the catalyst that drives the Steelers to success this season. As he takes on this new challenge, Wilson's focus on faith and self-belief remains his guiding light, setting the stage for what could be a remarkable journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers.