The 2024 NFL preseason proved that the Pittsburgh Steelers still have a ways to go with their offensive line development. Injuries, lack of focus and misdirected players were the story of the line’s trio of games. These players are expected to start and protect Russell Wilson beginning with Week 1 in Atlanta.
Rarely does a team display pure playoff-caliber performances in the first few weeks (unless you’re the Kansas City Chiefs), and we know Mike Tomlin is all about building up to December football. He doesn’t want his squad to peak too early because it’s a very long season.
The offensive line needing time to gel could present problems for Wilson, whose playing style is a magnet for sack-hungry defenders. Mobility was a trait he was lauded for in his 20s but has cost him in his 30s.
As a seasoned veteran, there was zero mystery about Wilson. The Steelers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith knew exactly what they got when they signed him.
Ryan Leaf, former NFL quarterback and cohost of SiriusXM’s “The Opening Drive,” believes it’ll cause distress for the Steelers’ new OC.
“The biggest thing for me with Russell Wilson — and that he has to eliminate, and it will frustrate the heck out of Arthur Smith — is taking sacks,” Leaf said on Monday.
“Russell doesn’t turn the ball over. He’s incredibly efficient in the red zone, and he has a great completion percentage. If he can do all those things and eliminate sacks, this team’s going to win. This team’s going to be solid offensively. They’re very good on defense when T.J. Watt is healthy, and that will present a real problem for every opponent they have.”
Per Statmuse, Wilson is the fourth-most sacked quarterback in NFL history, behind only Tom Brady (565), Ben Roethlisberger (554) and Aaron Rodgers (531). With 527 sacks taken in his career and Rodgers the only other active quarterback among them, Wilson could find himself creeping up a leaderboard that no one wants to be on.
The offensive line unit, under the direction of Pat Meyer since 2022, has typically gotten it together in the second half of the season. Thankfully, even at 35, Wilson is as tough as they come.
.@Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said they will announce a starting quarterback this week…@RyanDLeaf believes that QB Russell Wilson will be the guy in Pittsburgh.
📻 https://t.co/LDIP76TFHv#Steelers | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/NxUmJDYr5V
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) August 26, 2024
