Steelers LB Payton Wilson makes bold statement after rookie debut

In action typical of the first game in seven months, the Pittsburgh Steelers were rusty on both sides of the ball in the first game of the 2024 season.

Several highlights and standout players, including rookie linebacker Payton Wilson, came from Pittsburgh’s preseason loss to the Houston Texans.

Wilson finished his NFL debut as the leader in tackles with seven, including one for loss. In coverage, Wilson forced an incomplete pass of Texans’ John Metchie III.

“I’m more worried about the plays that I’ve missed, rather than the ones that I made,” Wilson told the media, via Sports Illustrated’s Bo Marchionete. “There’s always room to improve. My goal is to be the best in the world and there’s definitely a lot of room to get to that.”

Being the best in the world is certainly a bold statement, but something that every athlete strives for. Pittsburgh’s third-round pick has his entire pro career ahead of him to make that happen.