PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He said he feels more himself being able to run now. It's been a great week of practice so far and then Russell Wilson said what most know by now.
"First game of the year for me, but been fortunate to have been in a lot of first games," Wilson said Thursday after practice.
It's not that he was really breaking any secrets, but said it was his first game of the year. He didn't say that just being an active player last week. You can see the excitement in everything he's doing this week. After coming to Pittsburgh to be the starter and then dealing with the calf injury not once, but twice, it's Wilson's time.
"The confidence is there, obviously being out with the guys," Wilson said. "That's the fun part of this game is just playing the game you love and doing the physical part of getting in the end zone hopefully and scoring a bunch of touchdowns."
After winning 104 games in 10 years, including a Super Bowl, nearly two, there is a question now with Wilson. The nine-time Pro Bowler was traded to Denver and signed to a five-year, $242.6 million contract in 2022. He was going to finally be an answer to the Broncos quarterback woes, but won only 11 of 30 starts. His first season in Denver he led the league, in being sacked and yardage lost. Last season he was benched even though he threw 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions with a 98-quarterback rating.
Now he'll finally play for the Steelers, a team also looking for a steady quarterback. Does he feel like he's out to prove something?
"I think every time you step between the white lines you are proving something," Wilson said. "You are proving who your team is as a group. Who you are as a team. That's the focal point. They (New York Jets) have a very good defense so we have to bring our best game."
He admits time since late July with the Steelers has been a challenge and disappointing having to deal with the injury, but he also said he's grown a lot. He quoted the same Bible verse that Justin Fields said earlier on Thursday from James 2-4 about showing joy while facing adversity.
Wilson said Fields has done a great job and flashed back to his unexpected benching last year. He said they've texted and likely also talked. He said they are working their buts off.
"I think that you realize that you continue to love every bit, every day," Wilson said. "You just continue to love every day. You continue to find ways to lead. You continue to find ways to embraces the challenges, the hard stuff, the obstacles in our way. You look forward to the journey."
The 35-year-old said his motto has been you've got to believe that tomorrow is the best day. That's what keeps him going. It kept him cheering on his teammates, doing what he could to help on game day when he couldn't physically be out there.
"The opportunity to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, what a gift," Wilson said. "You realize that every time you get to put on the helmet. It's a true gift and I thank God every day for it."
