Friday date night helps Steelers offense

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Before coming to the Steelers you heard things about Russell Wilson and his lack of focus or coachability. It mostly came from those who follow, cover or analyze the Denver Broncos. That isn't how the Steelers have found Wilson.

"You always take with a grain of salt a lot of stereotypes get put on people until you have your own experience and you get into a season with him and you find out," said Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. "He's been phenomenal in that regard."

There have been no sideline issues, no noise coming from the inside or outside about Wilson as a teammate. When he was hurt, Wilson did what he could to stay involved, but never appeared to cross the line, overshadow or impede the work Justin Fields did while the starting quarterback.

The coaching relationship is so good between Wilson and Smith, they spend a lot of Friday nights together. Even to the point of late hours where you might be thinking either stopped somewhere else for a nightcap.

"We spend so many hours, sometimes my wife FaceTimes's me to make sure I'm not somewhere on the South Side," Smith said with a grin. "I'm really in my office. There is Russ!"

"We are here on Friday night talking through those situational things, red zone. What I call 'got to have it' (plays, understanding), that's all planning."

Wilson also gets it from his family.

"She's like, man, how much longer?" Wilson said of his wife's reaction. "Ciara and Allison, they know how much we love this game. We always say to them, 'you guys like touchdowns, right?'"

Smith said he's learned over the years that each quarterback is different with a lot of different personalities. Sometimes it's the coach failing to adapt as much as it is the player. These relationships have forced him to be a better coach.

"You have to have honest communication," Smith said. "Sometimes you agree to disagree and that's ok. I like debate, usually with a veteran. Once you get know people, you earn each other's respect and trust, you start seeing results. He's been fantastic."

Wilson describes the sessions of two men sharing a lot of knowledge of the game. They explain what each other is seeing and feeling about certain plays. He said they are on the white board in his office drawing up plays. Each time they are thinking and talking about where they can find the next touchdown.

"I've always had so much regard for Arthur," Wilson said. "He's been one of the best offensive coordinators in football. He's a guy who got to be a head coach, he'll get that opportunity again. He's a great leader and believer in ball."

Wilson said it's a collective effort. They've used all of their pass experiences, good and bad, to help what this team is trying to accomplish in 2024.

Smith said Wilson has a unique ability to remain steady, even in the toughest situations during a game and would assume that carries over the practices and meetings.

They had met early in both of their careers, but never got to work together. Smith was a graduate assistant at North Carolina when former Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti was the offensive coordinator there. Wilson was on a college visit and never was offered by UNC, instead he ended up at NC State. Over the years Smith's teams would face Wilson, now they have been placed together. Their relationship is part of the reason the Steelers are in first place.