In his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker Payton Wilson could set a record. Through ten games, Wilson has 84 combined tackles. That puts him on pace to finish with 142 for the season. If so, that would set the franchise’s single-season record.
Here’s the current leaderboard, per Pro Football Reference’s data.
Most Combined Tackles, Steelers’ History
1. James Farrior – 141 (2003)
2. Lawrence Timmons – 135 (2010)
3. James Farrior – 133 (2008)
4. Lawrence Timmons – 132 (2014)
5. Patrick Queen – 129 (2024)
Farrior set the mark more than 20 years ago in his second season with the team and seventh NFL season (he’s often forgotten as one of the best free agent signings in Steelers history). Now, Wilson is on pace to break Farrior’s mark by a single tackle.
Of course, Wilson has a 17th game to do it, something Farrior was never afforded. On a per-game basis, Wilson would still trail Farrior’s ’03 season and Timmons’ 2010 campaign. But in aggregate, Wilson would take the record.
He could do so without being the true every-down player Farrior and Timmons were, either. Wilson has only played about 70 percent of the defensive snaps this season. Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison have eaten into his role on base downs, with Wilson primarily playing in nickel. Pittsburgh’s lack of dime defense, still sitting at zero snaps, has provided more chances for Wilson than last season, but he’s proven to be around the ball at a high rate.
As a rookie, Wilson notched 78 combined tackles despite playing less than half of the Steelers’ snaps. Now, he could break the record with a sub-75 percent snap count rate. His athleticism and range allow him to be around the ball. His effort also has a big impact.
Racking up tackles doesn’t mean you’re a great linebacker. And there’s a difference between solo and assisted tackles, though Wilson still leads in the former with 52. But Wilson’s play has improved after a tough start to the year. Perhaps taking some reps off his plate has helped him stay fresh, especially with him assuming special teams duties and taking over for Miles Killebrew as that unit’s captain. Wilson’s focus isn’t just on the defense. Like Keeanu Benton, he’s a young guy (even as an older college prospect) finding his stride.
That stride could see him set a record. A figure he might beat with an even larger future role.
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