Mike Tomlin on why he’s beginning Russell Wilson: 'I went Lone Ranger'

by Anthony S. Hansen
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Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson will get his first begin for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night time to face Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. 

Beginning Wilson was a call by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin that gained a good quantity of consideration, because the Steelers are off to a 4-2 begin with Justin Fields below heart.

However for Tomlin, it was about greater than his workforce’s report. He needed to see extra from an offense that ranks twenty sixth in yards, and he hopes to search out it in Wilson’s proper arm, which Tomlin believes has greater than sufficient life left to make up for Wilson’s diminished mobility.

On Sunday, FOX Sports activities’ Jay Glazer mentioned he spoke to Tomlin, and reported that the coach advised him he “went Lone Ranger,” with the choice to start out Wilson.

In line with Glazer, “[Tomlin said] look, if it would not work out, I will take the warmth, I will shoulder the blame, no drawback. The explanation I did this, is I knew I had two quarterbacks going into camp which might be very succesful, however I needed to see each of them earlier than I made a long-term resolution. Nicely, I have not seen the opposite one [Wilson]. I need to see at the very least what I’ve from him, exhaust all choices, after which decide down the stretch.”

Continued Tomlin, per Glazer: “I am not making an attempt to win video games, I am making an attempt to win a world title right here. I gotta see what I’ve received in each.”

How Wilson performs might outline Pittsburgh’s season. The identical goes in New York, the place the Jets have undergone a major overhaul over the previous few weeks in hopes of offering the membership and its 40-year-old quarterback with a spark.

The Jets fired coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8 and on Tuesday reunited Rodgers with longtime working mate Davante Adams after they acquired the three-time All-Professional vast receiver from Las Vegas.

“It has been unusual, however actually enjoyable to see my buddy,” Rodgers mentioned of Adams, who’s rooming with Rodgers for now.

Rodgers would like to see Adams on the sector and ideally in the long run zone. A bit little bit of scoring may go a great distance for a workforce that boasts the league’s second-ranked protection.

Jets’ Davante Adams will make debut, Steelers to start out Russell Wilson

Jets' Davante Adams will make debut, Steelers to start Russell Wilson

It’s a lot the identical for the Steelers, who’ve allowed the second-fewest factors within the league. Tomlin believes his workforce has been good, however not nice. If Wilson can rediscover a few of the “let Russ prepare dinner” magic of his prime, Pittsburgh believes it will probably shut the hole between itself and the groups atop the AFC that it has been chasing in recent times.

Curiosity and respect led Tomlin to show to Wilson. Wilson is intent on making a call that appears dangerous on the surface look sensible in the long run.

“I got here right here for one motive (and) that was to win a Tremendous Bowl. … I believe now we have that chance,” Wilson mentioned. “However we received to do the work. There’s much more to go.”

The Related Press contributed to this story.


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