Bills at Steelers Preaseason: Wilson 'Needs To Have A Big Night!'

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson signed with the team back in March to be the starter this season. A few days later, the team traded for former No. 11 overall pick Justin Fields to be the backup.

All summer we heard that Wilson was in the “pole position” to be the starter, but an injury sidelined him for the majority of camp, allowing Fields to close the gap.

And now?

On Saturday, Wilson will get his first preseason experience as the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills, and one analyst believes he has to have a big night to keep from sliding down the depth chart.

On Friday’s episode of Good Morning Football , NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt detailed the importance of this game for Wilson.

"I think this is actually a really, really big night for Russell Wilson,” Brandt said. “Not just because it’s the preseason game and he's trying to get this start. What if it doesn't go well or if he actually re-injures himself and misses the Week 1 start?

“This is the last stop here. ... This is kind of as big as it gets when we have a potential future Hall of Fame quarterback fighting for a job in the preseason on his third team, and I think he needs to have a big night."

Related: Roman Wilson Injury Update

Following two subpar years in Denver, this could very well be Wilson’s last best chance of reviving his career. Of course, there is still one more preseason game after this, but he will be on the field with the other starters tonight against the visiting Bills.

If Wilson is unable to make things click on the field, we could in theory be watching the beginning of the end of his career. ... though "this is as big as it gets'' seems rather hyperbolic.