Tag: Payton Wilson

Steelers’ DC isn’t keen on treating LB Payton Wilson like a rookie

Steelers’ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin spoke highly of Payton Wilson’s maturity and what it means for the team.

It is clear that not every rookie needs time to adjust to the NFL level of speed.  Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Payton Wilson has been turning heads through seven weeks of the 2024 season with his elite play in both the pass and run defense.  His instincts have further supported the argument that Wilson deserves more play time on defense, as he has been used sparingly thus far.

Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin seems to agree that the rookie linebacker shouldn’t be restrained in any capacity, as his maturity allows for the team to place more trust in his play.

The team would be wise to continue to treat him as a more established player in the league, even though he might have far less experience than other linebackers on the roster.  The admiration that Wilson’s teammates and coaches have for him is backed up by his competitive spirit on and off the field.

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Is Mike Tomlin making another Wilson-sized mistake?

Although rookie Payton Wilson continues wreck offenses on Sundays, he is still being used sparingly. Could this be a mistake by Tomlin?

It appears to be a Wilson-eat-Wilson world for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While QB Russell Wilson has finally been given the opportunity to succeed, it seems HC Mike Tomlin has ‘moved on’ from rookie WR Roman Wilson. Now, LB Payton Wilson could be the next ‘Wilson-sized’ mistake by the Steelers’ head coach. 

The young linebacker has not only excelled through seven weeks of football, but Wilson is also playing like one of the best rookies in the league. Meanwhile, LB Patrick Queen, one of the biggest signings from the Steelers’ 2024 free agency class, hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. While Queen’s play has struggled to say the least in 2024, he continues to get almost double the playing time of his rookie teammate.

Should Wilson be considered for more snaps? And if so, could the Steelers implement a three-linebacker rotation between Queen, Wilson, and the elite Elandon Roberts? Similar to the Week 8 quarterback decision, only one man can get the rookie onto the field more often, and Tomlin may once again be choosing loyalty to a subpar player over another Wilson. 

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Will Steelers’ LB rebound in Week 8 after inconsistent start to 2024?

Patrick Queen hasn’t really lived up the hype that surrounded his signing. Can the linebacker bounce back in Week 8 against the NY Giants?

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Patrick Queen is due for a breakout game in Week 8, right? While the word ‘elite’ may describe fellow linebackers Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson, ‘inconsistent’ better summarizes Queen’s 2024 performance.

He’s currently on pace to record his highest number of missed tackles in any of his five NFL seasons, and he’s currently tied for the second-worst missed tackle percentage of his career this year.

With that being said, Queen’s play hasn’t been all bad—he was solid in Weeks 2, 3, and 5. However, one major setback for the fifth-year linebacker from LSU has been his pass coverage. What was once a strength during his final years in Baltimore, has taken a significant step back in 2024 with the Steelers, as he’s allowing an average passer rating of 103.2 when targeted by opposing QBs.

While Roberts and Wilson have been more consistent on the field, Queen has a good chance to bounce back against the struggling Giants’ offense in Week 8.  Tune in to Monday Night Football this week to see if Queen can finally turn things around this season, on October 27th at 8:15 PM EST.

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Steelers rookie Payton Wilson to play vs. Lions after injury scare

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Payton Wilson has cleared concussion protocol and will play in preseason finale versus Detroit Lions.

Rookie inside linebacker Payton Wilson exited early from the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason matchup with the Buffalo Bills and was evaluated for a concussion.

The Steelers got a bit of good news with Wilson having cleared protocol. Per Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, Wilson will play in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

Wilson said the preseason has benefited him coming from college in adjusting to the speed of the NFL.

“I’ve really enjoyed the preseason because it’s slowing the game down a lot,” Wilson told Steelers media on Thursday. “It’s not like we’re just jumping right into week one, and then you have to adjust on the fly.”

Given the injury scare, the Steelers would be wise to limit Wilson to a drive or two. While it was never disclosed whether he suffered a concussion, it’s an injury that can’t be taken lightly.

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Steelers LB Payton Wilson makes bold statement after rookie debut

Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson shined in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason opener vs. the Houston Texans.

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.

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Steelers vs Texans: 3 rookies we can’t wait to see play on Friday

The Steelers have a strong rookie class and we are excited to see them play on Friday night.

After an incredibly active offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off the NFL preseason on Friday night against the Houston Texans. For the second straight offseason, the Steelers head into the preseason with a very strong rookie class. The 2024 NFL draft yielded multiple rookies who could end up in the starting lineup this season.

Here are the three rookies we are most looking forward to seeing play vs the Texans.

LB Payton Wilson

It’s only going to take one tackle for Steelers fans to love Payton Wilson. His athleticism, work ethic and skill set are exciting and he should get a great look against the Texans starters.

DB Ryan Watts

Ryan Watts has had a very quiet camp. Watts is listed as the No. 3 strong safety so expect to see plenty of him in the second half. Watts has the potential to be a rotational guy at slot cornerback too so look for some of that as well.

C Zach Frazier

Nate Herbig is listed as the starting center and should get the start on Friday but Zach Frazier is the future of the position. Frazier is a powerful young man with a violent nature and we hope he gets into the game early.

There are several more rookies who should see reps and an honorable mention for us goes to running back Daijun Edwards and quarterback John Rhys Plumlee as two more rookies who will get in the game in the second half and bring some excitement.

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Steelers must protect Payton Wilson at all costs

Hurry! Hide Payton Wilson.

Hurry! Hide Payton Wilson.

The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired three Wilsons this offseason and two, Russell Wilson (calf) and Roman Wilson (ankle), have been dealing with injury.

The eldest Wilson returned to practice on Tuesday with Justin Fields still taking the majority of first-team reps. The rookie wide receiver is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of training camp after an impressive start to his first practices as a pro.

However, Payton Wilson has also been turning heads and earning praise from his teammates, including fellow inside linebacker Patrick Queen.

“Payton’s a great guy, great teammate,” Queen said of Wilson earlier this week. “Edgy guy, very cool, calm demeanor guy… but on the football field, he just turns into a whole ‘nother animal.”

Sound like another Steeler we all know and love? Ahem, T.J. Watt.

In addition to the guardian cap, the Steelers need to put Payton Wilson in bubble wrap.

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Steelers LB Cole Holcomb on the roster bubble as injury lingers

Cole Holcomb might not make the Steelers final roster.

Last season, before his injury, Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Cole Holcomb was great. In eight games he had 54 total tackles and had a 72.2 run-stopping grade by Pro Football Focus.

Holcomb suffered a serious leg injury that cost him half of the season and now could cost him much more. Holcomb started training camp on the PUP list and with each passing day, it seems less and less likely Holcomb will be ready to go to start the season.

Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac took it a step further. He hypothesized that Holcomb is nowhere near ready to play. Dulac even said that Holcomb might be a candidate for IR or even be waived.

If either happens, it really puts a spotlight on rookie Payton Wilson. The Steelers selected Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft but he is one of the most athletic and productive defenders from the entire draft class. It would also mean Mark Robinson has a better shot to make the team. With the return of Tyler Matakevich, we assume that meant Robinson was on his way out but if Holcomb is out of the picture, Robinson could stay.

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Viral video of Steelers LB Payton Wilson should quiet his critics

Payton Wilson fell in the draft for injury concerns that don’t seem to actually exist.

When we look back at the 2024 NFL draft in say, three years, here is a bold prediction. NFL draft writers and pundits are going to wonder how Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson fell all the way to the end of the third round.

So we will be sure to remind them why. Because teams were paranoid about a potential problem with Wilson’s knee. An issue that hadn’t surfaced since high school and showed no ill effects as he absolutely dominated last season at North Carolina State.

But if that isn’t enough to convince everyone that all the worrying was for nothing and the Steelers were brilliant for taking a chance, just look at the video below.

Wilson is a freakish athlete but even more than that, a smart football player. He’s learned how to maximize his physical gifts rather than simply rely on them which makes him even more dangerous.

During his time at North Carolina State, Wilson did it all, and not only because he was the better athlete. But if you have any doubt left that there are any injury concerns with him, let this video put your mind at ease.

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Bill Cowher on the athleticism of Steelers rookie Payton Wilson: ‘It’s off the charts’

Payton Wilson has the potential to be a special player on this Steelers defense.

Much like last season when the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get defensive tackle Keenau Benton in the middle of the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, Pittsburgh might have scooped up another dynamic athletic defender outside of the first round with linebacker Payton Wilson this year.

Unfounded injury concerns pushed Wilson to the end of the third round and the Steelers wasted no time bringing in the former North Carolina State star.

Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher gushed about Wilson and when you consider just how many great linebackers he coached, it’s hard to argue with his reasoning.

“His athletic ability speaks for itself,” Cowher said. “It’s off the charts. If you’re smart, productive, tough and can run, those are qualities that I saw with the linebackers with the Steelers. He has all those same qualities.”
Wilson was one of the most productive defenders in college football in 2023. Wilson finished with 138 total tackles in 12 games along with six sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and six passes defended. It’s no stretch to say he’s as close to Ryan Shazier as this team has seen since he was with the team and has a very bright future.
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