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PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin had the option to play it safe by sticking with Justin Fields and continuing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent trend of tough, defensive-minded games. However, as the NFL’s longest-serving coach, he felt it was essential to explore new possibilities. After a convincing 19-point victory against Las Vegas on October 13, which improved Pittsburgh’s record to 4-2, Tomlin decided it was time to test the waters with Russell Wilson, who had finally recovered from a calf injury.

When questioned about the potential awkwardness of this conversation, especially since Fields had contributed significantly with 10 touchdowns against one turnover, Tomlin remained unfazed. “I don’t worry about the difficulty of conversations,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of pursuing success over comfort. “We’re pursuing big business here.”

In Apple’s first step towards change, the Steelers have shown renewed energy to evolve, particularly after experiencing a playoff victory drought extending over seven years. This off-season, the franchise restructured its quarterback lineup, and Tomlin’s move to start Wilson in mid-October signaled a willingness to take risks and discover what Wilson could still deliver on the field.

So far, Wilson has proven those risks were well-founded. Over two games against the New York Jets and New York Giants, the 35-year-old quarterback accumulated 542 passing yards, achieving three touchdowns without any interceptions. Both games saw the Steelers’ offense exceed 400 yards, a benchmark not met in consecutive weeks since 2018. While Wilson sees this as a positive beginning, he acknowledges there is still much work to be done. He stated, “We have great confidence (but) we haven’t done everything yet.” The team’s current record of 6-2 is promising, but it’s not the finish line.

Pittsburgh’s journey to the playoffs in recent years hasn’t been an issue; they have made it to the postseason three times in the past four seasons. The challenge lies in their performance once there, often outmatched by more powerful teams like the Bills and Chiefs. However, things may be shifting for the Steelers as they approach the 2024 season. They have reached at least 20 points in five of their last six games, a feat not accomplished since their impressive 11-0 start in 2020. This scoring ability alleviates some pressure on a defense that has been accustomed to managing tight, low-scoring affairs.

While cornerback Joey Porter Jr. downplayed any increased assurance for the defense, sticking to Tomlin’s mantra of “the standard is the standard,” the more dynamic offense has allowed defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to adopt a more aggressive gameplay style. The Steelers rank second in the NFL with 15 turnovers, including major plays like T.J. Watt’s strip-sack and Beanie Bishop’s critical interception against the Giants. A turnover “culture” has emerged, with coaches even incentivizing players through a color-coded shirt system based on performance.

However, not everything has been smooth sailing; the Giants managed to rush for 157 yards against the Steelers, a concerning statistic as Pittsburgh prepares for a challenging second half of the season with tough games against Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia, all known for their formidable rushing attacks. Acknowledging this challenge, Austin remarked, “I think that’s good to be able to win ‘in spite of’ sometimes,” showing confidence in his team’s resilience and commitment to improvement.

This mentality of striving for excellence is rooted in Tomlin’s leadership. His decision to switch quarterbacks sends a clear message: settling for good is no longer adequate. Even with standout players like Watt and defensive end Cam Heyward, both of whom are building Hall of Fame-worthy careers but have yet to achieve a Super Bowl win, the team’s hunger for success remains palpable. Watt has yet to secure a playoff victory, further fueling the desire to improve.

As outside linebacker Alex Highsmith articulated, “We can’t get comfortable because we know that we just got to, we got a lot of tough, tough games ahead of us.” The Steelers understand their ultimate goal and remain committed to continuous improvement and maintaining a championship mentality.

Wilson, who joined Pittsburgh in March with the intention of reviving his career after a couple of seasons that failed to meet expectations in Denver, is aware of what’s at stake. Though it’s early in the process, his performance thus far validates Tomlin’s move to shake things up, potentially redirecting the franchise towards a more successful trajectory since their AFC championship appearance in 2016. “You want to be on the rise as you go,” Wilson said. “We’re on that journey right now. We’re on that train of just continuing to grow. I think that’s an exciting thing for this football team.”

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