PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson often says he likes to spread the ball around. He will often mention all of his potential targets, even ones not active for a game. He said a lot of that Thursday about new receiver Mike Williams, but also added.
“I’ve been able to play against him several years, he’s a dominant receiver,” Wilson said. “He can make great plays.”
Wilson also doesn’t want to overshadow other players and obviously knows some guys in the current receivers’ group who are going to lose snaps to Williams, if not immediately, at some point. But for what the perception of Williams might be from his time with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, early on, it’s different with the Steelers.
“Mike has done a great job coming in,” Wilson said. “He’s been great in the meetings, great in the field. Attention to detail, you can tell he’s a pro. A guy who wants to win. A guy who’s competitive and he’s determined to show who he is.”
Even the Steelers leading tailback noted what the add of Williams means, while also being respectful of the current receivers.
“It makes the room better than it is,” said Najee Harris on Thursday. “We already had a good room and to add another element can elevate it more.”
“The chemistry and fit, what I’ve learned over the years, matters,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “What a guy’s role is going to be, it’s going to be different from the team he’s previously been on. They’ve got to earn their role, too. There can be some challenges if it’s not done the right way. You have to be mindful of guys that have been here, guys that have been really doing well for us. Put a guy up that comes in midyear, you’re taking reps from somebody else.”
Wilson said through his first couple of practices he’s been impressed with how Williams has approached it. He said the Steelers have a ‘very particular’ locker room filled with competitive guys with tons of confidence. It’s a group that wants to be the best every day for each other. Wilson said it’s been open arms from the other receivers. They realize what he can bring to the team.
“I think when you look out there and realize a guy is 6’5”, can run, jump up and catch the ball and run past people,” Wilson said. “Even in the short game, he can run every route. It’s real football. He can make plays. He’s a guy who’s been special over the years.”
While Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday they have to get to know him and find out how his talents blend in with what they do. Smith was more bullish on a quicker impact.
“Anytime you add a good player, we’ll bring him along the right way, excited he’s here,” Smith said. “Obviously, he’s got a skill set that fits us. Big wide receiver. Willing to work. He’s made a lot of 50/50 catches. Big presence in the run game.”
Smith looks at it as value added because he thought they had a pretty good thing going.
It’s all been positive. It’s also been two days. Williams is anxious to get more opportunities and believes he will in Pittsburgh. As both Tomlin and Smith said, we’ll see where it goes.