Is there friction between Russell Wilson and the Steelers’ offensive schemers?
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette lately reported of friction between Russell Wilson and OC Arthur Smith. Whereas others have disputed the report, both typically or in nuance, many imagine there may be smoke. Now, the place the smoke leads again to, and whether or not there’s a fireplace, that’s powerful to say.
Over the previous 48 hours, we’ve heard all types of theories in regards to the fact and the origins of the report. Did Arthur Smith strong-arm Russell Wilson, stopping him from audibling out of performs? Was it a directive from Mike Tomlin, who prioritized operating the soccer? Maybe it was Wilson himself attempting to cowl his butt for the downturn in his efficiency from mid-December on.
Right here is the underside line: anyone wished that report on the market, and that alone means one thing. The issue is, we don’t know who wished it on the market and what their intention was. Nor do we all know the veracity of the report and whether or not the high-quality particulars are correct. And we don’t know if this implies something about Russell Wilson’s theoretical future relationship with the Steelers.
So principally we don’t know something greater than we did beforehand; we simply have extra confusion. Even when we imagine the substance of the report, how a lot does it matter? Are we imagined to be outraged if Russell Wilson wasn’t capable of audible as a lot as he would have preferred?
The timeline appears a bit too handy, for the reason that Steelers fairly clearly game-planned to throw closely towards the Bengals, particularly as the sport developed. It’s nearly as if to say, see, Russell Wilson was on fireplace, after which they put the shackles on him. However what in regards to the Ravens recreation and the Browns recreation earlier than that? The Steelers weren’t precisely setting offensive data, so the Bengals recreation is an outlier.
And whether it is Wilson’s camp placing one thing on the market that isn’t true, or is at the very least deceptive, then the place are we? What does that imply? Does he know he isn’t more likely to return to the Steelers and is attempting to arrange his market in free company? If the stories are true, would he even need to keep in Pittsburgh? And why is no person asking how this may differ from how different organizations run their offense?
The Steelers’ 2024 season has come to its predictably inauspicious finish, with yet one more one-and-done postseason for HC Mike Tomlin. The offense faltered, and the protection matched it blow for blow, resulting in a 21-0 first-half deficit.
Identical to final 12 months, the most important query hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback query. Do they nonetheless imagine in Russell Wilson, and/or Justin Fields, or do they need one other answer? There are different main selections to make, as effectively, resembling what to do with George Pickens. Do you signal him to an extension, attempt to commerce him, or let him play out his rookie contract?
The Steelers began the 2024 season 10-3, with Mike Tomlin within the Coach of the 12 months dialog. Wash, rinse, and repeat, and we’ve one other late-season collapse. This can be the worst but, a four-game dropping streak presaging a one-and-done playoff “run”. Welcome to Steelers soccer.
