The Pittsburgh Steelers headed into their Week 7 matchup at home against the new-look New York Jets as underdogs. Many expected this game to be a turning point for the Jets, especially with the addition of star wide receiver Davante Adams. The Steelers, on the other hand, were starting Russell Wilson for the first time in 2024, following a calf injury that kept him sidelined. The rust was evident early on, as Wilson struggled during the first few drives, but everything changed when he connected with George Pickens on a deep ball that sparked the offense.
Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Jets' Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams talk after a game.
Wilson soon found his rhythm, finishing the game with 264 passing yards, two touchdowns through the air, and one on the ground. His resurgence was key in the Steelers' eventual victory, and the win helped to quiet some of the pre-game controversy over whether Wilson or Justin Fields should start at quarterback. Fields had filled in admirably, leading the Steelers to a 4-2 record in Wilson's absence, but Wilson's performance in Week 7 seemed to solidify his role moving forward.
After the game, tight end Pat Freiermuth joined the NBC set to reflect on the win. When asked about Head Coach Mike Tomlin's message to the team leading up to the game, Freiermuth revealed that Tomlin had emphasized staying focused amidst the distractions. Tomlin encouraged the team to improve their play and not let the outside noise distract them.
"Man, he said it was an A player game," Freiermuth said when talking about the special message Head Coach Mike Tomlin told the team before the game. "The A players need to show up. The whole week he was preaching that and the cool thing about Coach T is that he doesn’t specify Cam, TJ, like he challenges the whole team. If you believe you are an A player go show it on the biggest stage."
The message was fitting, as undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. emerged as the biggest X-factor in this game for the Steelers. Heading into the matchup, Bishop had been targeted by opposing quarterbacks, viewed as the weakest link in the Steelers' defense. Despite his early struggles, this breakout performance, where he made crucial plays and recorded two interceptions, could be a major momentum boost for his rookie season.
Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. looks on during a game against the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football.
Coming into the game, Bishop's performance had been graded as an F due to his struggles in the last two outings. However, his stock soared as he intercepted Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice, making game-changing plays. It seems Bishop took Tomlin's pregame message to heart, stepping up when the team needed him most and delivering on the biggest stage.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Looks Like A Genius After Starting Russell Wilson
Tomlin faced significant pressure heading into this game after making the unpopular decision to bench Fields in favor of Wilson. Reports surfaced that many, even within the organization, disagreed with the move, believing Fields, who had been playing well, was the safer choice. The decision sparked controversy, with some questioning whether Wilson, coming off an injury, was ready to take over.
USA Today
Steelers' Mike Tomlin stands on the sideline with Russell Wilson during an away game.
Despite the criticism, Tomlin made the tough call, opting to bench a quarterback who was performing well to see if Wilson could elevate the team even further. After just one game, Wilson may have justified that decision.
While it’s only a small sample size, Wilson overcame early rust and put on an impressive performance against a strong Jets defense. He will need to continue this level of play to truly prove himself, but Steeler Nation is now eager to see what he can do in the games ahead.
#SteelerNation
