Analyst torches Russell Wilson following lackluster Steelers debut

Three-time Super Bowl champion and current NFL analyst Mark Schlereth previously ripped the "toxic positivity" that allegedly has hovered over Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson across at least the past few years.

Schlereth clearly wasn't impressed by what he saw from Wilson in the veteran's 2024 preseason debut this past weekend.

"You know what I think his problem is...He wants to be a hero," Schlereth said about Wilson during the latest edition of the "Stinkin' Truth" podcast, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "I think he wants to be a hero. I think he wants to be the reason...if he had any sense about him, he'd stand in front of the podium, and he would sit there and say, 'I have to be better. My offensive line was fine. I gotta put the football on the targets. I've gotta read the defense.'"

Wilson had been slowed by a calf injury for much of training camp but took the field for Saturday's preseason matchup versus the Buffalo Bills. He ultimately completed eight-of-10 passes for 47 yards, but he also took three sacks.

That final stat understandably sparks concerns considering StatMuse shows no quarterback took more sacks across the past two regular seasons than Wilson (100).

Per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot, legendary head coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick both defended Wilson during Monday appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Belichick indicated the offensive line was a "bigger" problem for Pittsburgh than quarterback play, while Cowher argued that the Steelers should start Wilson over Justin Fields for the Week 1 game at the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.

Schlereth sounds convinced the issues that plagued Wilson during his Denver tenure will prevent him from finding success with Pittsburgh.

"Russell Wilson has got to do a better job of understanding football and throwing the football to open receivers," Schlereth said. "As opposed to pulling the football and taking sack after sack after sack. Three-and-out, three-and-out and three-and-out."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook continued to list Wilson as the betting favorite at -425 odds to start over Fields (+300) against Atlanta. It remains to be seen if Fields can do enough through this coming Saturday's preseason finale at the Detroit Lions to leapfrog Wilson on the depth chart by Labor Day.