In what some may deem as a show of confidence for their much-maligned quarterback , the Pittsburgh Steelers named new starter Russell Wilson as their lone offensive captain for the 2024 NFL season .
He will join fellow captains in defensive end Cameron Heyward (tenth selection), linebacker T.J. Watt (fourth selection), and safety/special teamer Miles Killebrew (third selection). Wilson won the starting quarterback job after signing for a bargain one-year, $1.4 million contract following his release by the Denver Broncos.
Neither Wilson nor fellow Steelers quarterback Justin Fields particularly impressed during the preseason. FOX NFL analyst Mark Schlereth said he'd be surprised if Wilson lasts more than five games as the starter.
So why was Wilson named captain? It's almost a mandate for NFL teams to name their opening day starter as the captain - if he wasn't named, serious questions would be raised about the former Super Bowl champion's commitment to the team.
The New England Patriots named opening day starter Jacoby Brissett among their captains on Monday despite the veteran being an obvious placeholder for quarterback Drake Maye, the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears named rookie Caleb Williams as a captain despite him never having taken a snap in the NFL. He's believed to be the team's first rookie captain since Chicago started officially naming them in 2007.
Wilson joined Pittsburgh after two underwhelming seasons as the starter in Denver, though he did show flashes in 2023. He threw for 3070 yards with a 26-8 TD-INT ratio, going 7-8 in his 15 starts.
Steelers longtime head coach Mike Tomlin stressed how narrow the battle between Wilson and Fields for the starting position was: "It was a difficult decision, but not difficult in a negative way, to be quite honest with you. It was difficult in a positive way.
"The decision was difficult because of what they're capable of doing. Decision was difficult because of how they have conducted themselves as opposed to the things that they fall short in in terms of capabilities or negative conduct."
"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 of Wilson . "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."
Wilson has been a captain throughout his NFL career, including ten years with the Seattle Seahawks and two with Denver. Meanwhile, the Steelers had former quarterback Kenny Pickett as their lone offensive captain last season. He'll captain the team in week one on the road against the Atlanta Falcons, who ranked 19th in opponent's passer rating allowed in 2023.
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