Why's Russell Wilson as Steelers Team Captain 'Controversial'?

The critics of new Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Russell Wilson - and they sure do ooze out of the woodwork, don't they? - aren't being fair to the 12-year NFL standout as they, and we, reflect on him being selected by his teammates as one of four team captains for the 2024 season.

The decision to make Wilson a team captain is being characterized as a "surprise'' to some and even as "controversial'' to others ... but it is nothing of the sort.

He just got here? So what? Quarterbacks are, almost as a matter of NFL rote, named as captains for their teams.

His reputation has been shaken? So what? This isn't a media vote or a fan vote or a "haters'' vote; his teammates voted for him.

How does "public opinion'' matter compared to that?

Coach Mike Tomlin, in explaining in part why Wilson has been named the starter, also touched on the essence of why he's a captain.

“Russ' resume is a unique one in terms of lift and success, and that tends to play a factor in the decision-making, but not from a decision-maker's perspective,” Tomlin said. “It's just the fruit of his labor. He's seen a lot and done a lot, and I think it was reflected in the way he played and conducted himself.”

The fact is, Wilson's NFL resume establishes that he's been there and done that in ways this generation of Steelers has not - and we're not just talking about his QB backup Justin Fields.

His 115 career regular-season wins are 15th-most in NFL history. He currently ranks 19th all-time in career passing yards. And in 2014, Wilson helped his team to a championship when the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII.

That, in short, is how a guy gets voted as a team captain. The Steelers players see it ... even if Wilson's critics are too blind to do so.