During the offseason, Mark Schlereth called Steelers QB Russell Wilson a “toxic benign.” He thought he, like many others who had questioned Wilson’s veracity in the past, was onto something. But for the Steelers, they feel very comfortable knowing exactly who he is. And so does Wilson, who has always known that outsiders doubt his character.
“I think a lot of people think it’s fake.” Wilson recently spoke to ESPN’s Hannah Storm.. He sat down for an extended interview prior to the Steelers’ game against the Washington Commanders last Sunday, but the full interview was only released this week.
“People seem to think you’re always a positive person. How about someone? [can be that way]? I just believe in great things.” Wilson insisted where his positivity comes from. “I just have to have great faith and believe that anything is possible, believe in the people around you, believe in the work you put in, and believe in great moments. Because I’ve met a lot of great people before. Sometimes when you’ve had a lot of great things, you can visualize all the great things, and that next moment can be the next best moment.”
Of course, one’s faith is a frequent source of positivity, and Wilson lives out his faith. Both 2024 free agents, along with DeShon Elliott, cited Steelers HC Mike Tomlin’s sincere faith as one of the qualities that attracted them. But there are plenty of stalwarts who don’t live up to Wilson’s infectious, bubbly enthusiasm. He explained where it comes from.
“There’s a lot more work to be done and that’s the fun part,” Wilson said, referring to the Steelers’ season and his career as a whole. “That’s what travel is. The challenge is to understand that there are obstacles in our path, and those obstacles are all opportunities. And I firmly believe that if you believe that, think that way, have a grateful heart, and start believing that way and becoming that way, good things will happen.”
Of course, there isn’t much Russell Wilson hasn’t done or seen in the 13th season. He passed John Elway with his 32nd game-winning drive and 40th game-winning drive. While he went through some adversity with the Broncos, it was all positive after he stepped on the scene with the Steelers.
Of course, his Steelers tenure began with a crushing sled. Wilson did not return to the field until mid-preseason, after which his calf injury worsened. This caused him to miss the first six games of the regular season, the longest injury stretch of his career.
But now the Steelers are 3-0 with Wilson, who has six touchdown passes to one interception. He’s averaging 8.7 yards per pass attempt and is playing the ball his best in years. And many Steelers fans are feeling a lot more positive about him than they expected when he first signed.
