Steelers' Russell Wilson Presents Big Red Flags To Kurt Warner

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense exploded in their 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Though one of those touchdowns came from Payton Wilson and the defense thanks to a strip sack by Nick Herbig, the offense shined brightly. Russell Wilson had his best game of the season, completing 29 of 38 passes for 414 yards with three touchdowns and just one interception. His performance had many fans and analysts alike singing his praises, with some even embarking on "apology tours" for previously doubting him.

However, not everyone is convinced. Former NFL star quarterback and current analyst Kurt Warner voiced his concerns after breaking down the game film on his YouTube channel. Despite the gaudy stats, Warner expressed confusion over Wilson's decision-making, pointing out moments where the veteran quarterback made questionable reads or forced throws that could have easily resulted in turnovers. Warner’s analysis has sparked debate, especially given the contrast between Wilson’s impressive box score and some of the flaws Warner highlighted.

For Warner, the concerns aren't just about one game—they’re about consistency and sustainability. While the Steelers celebrated a crucial divisional win over the Bengals to move to 9-3 on the season, Warner remains skeptical about whether Wilson’s approach can hold up against tougher defenses in high-pressure situations. With the Steelers pushing for a deep playoff run, the spotlight on Wilson's performance and decision-making will only intensify in the coming weeks.

"Russell Wilson is an interesting case study," Warner said. "Obviously, the team's done really well with him. Russell threw for over 400 yards, and some incredibly beautiful football, and definitive with what he was doing," Warner said. "Then other ones, just looks like he's not quite sure what's going on, but just happened to make plays in those situations and have success."

Warner dedicated 30 minutes to breaking down Wilson's film from the Bengals game, highlighting several concerns. 

One of his primary criticisms was Wilson’s tendency to rush his decisions, suggesting that the quarterback wasn’t fully going through his progressions. 

"Did you see how fast, he comes back, makes the fake, he's already to his check down again," Warner said. "He's even taking his hand off the ball, he's ready to throw his check down. Nobody's even out of their route yet. Nobody's even come out of their route and he's ready to throw the check down."

Warner continued to talk about how Wilson's decision making made no sense to him.

"He's pumping it. George [Pickens] comes open, the inside guy slides into that window, he's open too," Warner said. "There's a great pocket. He's got both of these throws to get the chunk play, and he's already punted to the back. Now, he's taken off. Again, make it make sense."

What’s interesting about Warner’s analysis is that it seems to overlook the context of the game. Wilson has faced relentless pressure dating back to his two seasons with the Denver Broncos, where taking sacks became a recurring issue. 

In the previous game against the Cleveland Browns, he was sacked four times. Against the Bengals, Wilson adjusted by utilizing the check-downs, a smart move against a Tampa 2 defense that left those options open early and often.

Steelers' Russell Wilson Playing Incredible Football

Wilson spread the ball effectively, making solid decisions that won praise from the majority of Steeler Nation. While he had an outstanding game, it’s unusual timing to focus on negatives when the performance was so pivotal. Still, no player is above critique, and Warner’s lingering doubts center on whether Wilson’s success can be sustained over time.

Wilson will have an opportunity to prove Warner wrong once again when the Steelers face the Browns at home on Sunday. Wilson likely still has a bad taste in his mouth about the loss to the Browns. He will be seeking redemption and an encore to his outing against the Bengals. 

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