PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Russell Wilson said the Steelers first team will play Saturday in Detroit. Wilson remains the starting quarterback. What he said about concerns over preseason play and what he’s seen in camp that will eventually translate.
The 35-year-old said the focus isn’t on what happened on Saturday, but what they can do to make it better today. There is no air of panic or frustration, just work.
“Somebody asked if we are concerned right now, absolutely not because the level of practices we’ve had against one of the best defenses and how we’ve shown up there,” Wilson said Wednesday.
The veteran of now 13 years in the NFL said there are always highs and lows in the preseason. What you have to embrace is making it fun to learn new things and to see improvement. Then that will make it into practice and eventually into games.
“I think the best thing we can do is slow our minds down, play really clean football and also enjoy the process,” Wilson said. “Sometimes you are going to be in a game, there is going to be a time this season where it’s going to be the first quarter and we didn’t score. Are we going to panic and worry? Absolutely not. We are going to win the game in the fourth quarter and that’s the way it’s going to be. That’s the mentality we have to have.”
Wilson said he’s excited to play in Detroit Saturday and to have another shot with the first team. It’s just as simple as executing and making plays. What he called doing their thing.
“I think the most important thing for us to accomplish is just play efficient football, move the ball up and down the field,” Wilson said. “Obviously, we want to celebrate in the end zone, that would be fun. We need to make sure that happens. That’s the standard of football we want to play.”
The QB said there is a lot of talent on offense, as Wilson also singled out Broderick Jones. Knowing there had been criticism of his play against Buffalo for allowing a couple of sacks and pressures, Wilson said the second-year tackle, Jones, is one of the reasons he came to the Steelers. He feels like Jones and the entire offensive line can be really good.
He’s seen it in practice.
Wilson has also seen the running backs make explosive plays which they didn’t really in either of the preseason opportunities, finishing with 215 rushing yards in two games (44 of that from QB Justin Fields).
It’s been a preseason with one touchdown. Wilson was 8-10 in his first opportunity with the Steelers, but for only 47 yards. He said they got to play cleaner. They are focused on their execution.
The Super Bowl champion said he’s heard doubt his whole life because of where he’s from, his size and all he does is just elevate his game. It’s time for his new team to do that as well.