Steelers' Russell Wilson Absolutely Slammed: "I'm Just Telling You Russ Isn't Very Good"

When Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin decided to sit Justin Fields after he got the team off to a solid 4-2 start for Russell Wilson, many thought he was crazy. Wilson began hot, winning six out of seven games, earning respect, and making Tomlin look like a genius. Regardless of the reasons, that did not last, and the Steelers lost their last three games. That has caused questions about Wilson's abilities to bubble back to the surface. 

One former Steelers rival, wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., went to five Pro Bowls with the Carolina Panthers. He finished his career with the Baltimore Ravens. Smith hosts a podcast with reporter James Palmer. He did a "PSA for Steelers fans," beginning with an unlikely tale of trash-talking a TSA agent who had the nerve to say "Go Steelers" to him. This made Smith feel like he needed to put all fans on notice about how bad Wilson is, even though he likes Wilson as a person. 

"I'm not hating," said Smith. "I'm just telling you Russ isn't very good. You've seen it for the past three weeks, and it will continue, and you need to be afraid, very, very afraid going into the playoffs because no one is fearing Russell Wilson as a throwing quarterback."

Palmer told Smith that he covered the Steelers - Philadelphia Eagles game and "did some intel," talking to people in the Eagles organization. He said they indicated they weren't afraid of Wilson. Of course, the Eagles also faced the Steelers without George Pickens, Wilson's number-one target.   

Smith claimed that he understands fans will think he "hates" Wilson because he is a former Raven. He then seemed to contradict his earlier statement by saying that he doesn't know Wilson as a person. It would be understandable if Smith didn't like the Steelers. He was 3-5 against them all-time and had only 39 catches for 387 yards and one touchdown in those eight games.

"My question is, 'Pittsburgh Steelers fans, are you happy if the season ends right now? Are you re-signing Russell Wilson as your quarterback of the future?' I know ball and your quarterback is struggling. If he does not go through his progressions, you cannot do anything. Najee Harris is an outstanding running back. If you give him the ball 40 times, it equals 100 yards, but he lacks the explosiveness that you need. The pass, the moon ball, or whatever, is ineffective."

There are statistics to back up Smith's points. This was the first time since 1988 that they've had three consecutive losses by more than 14 points, the first time they've allowed more than 25 points in three straight games since 2018, and only the second time in the last 35 seasons they have had a negative 50 point or worse point differential through three games. 

While it is fair to say that Wilson and the Steelers haven't played their best football during those three losses, it feels too soon to throw in the towel. They were missing key players due to injury and played a ridiculously compressed schedule against the best teams in the league. While they do not need to win in Week 18 to make the playoffs, this game seems like a litmus test for how well they can bounce back from adversity. 

Steelers Met To Discuss Losing Streak

The day after the Christmas Day loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tomlin pulled the team together for a meeting. It likely wasn't just because of the team's mistakes on the field, but also the finger-pointing. 

The defensive players quickly complained that teammates were not doing their jobs. Alex Highsmith said they aired out all the negativity and plan to put their heads down and get back to work. Patrick Queen echoed those sentiments, saying that all the small mistakes led to the losses, and they were getting on the same page. 

Do you agree with Smith about Wilson? Click to comment below. 

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