In all likelihood, Aaron Rodgers will not lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a win in Super Bowl LX this winter. But he can keep them competitive this season, and in the meantime, the Steelers can develop their young talent in order to work toward a better tomorrow.
They have a few young studs on defense, including cornerback Joey Porter Jr., inside linebacker Payton Wilson and rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon. In particular, the team believes Wilson has true star potential, and he's slated to become a starter this season.
Head coach Mike Tomlin spoke highly of Wilson, who is entering his second season in the NFL. He says that the North Carolina State University product is showing leadership, in addition to all the other things he already does at a fairly high level.
"We don't wait until in-stadium action to explore that," Tomlin said, per Mark Kaboly. "Every day that we give Patrick Queen off, he instantly becomes the quarterback of the defense. You have to develop leadership and leaders, and where he is in his career is appropriate. That's what I mean when I say we have a different agenda in terms of guys' off days. It is not only the preservation of those guys, but it is the elevation of others."
As a rookie, Wilson played on both defense and special teams, and he recorded 78 total tackles (49 solo), three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and two passes defended. He has shown the ability to be effective while dropping back in pass coverage and while looking to stop the run.
While in college, he suffered multiple injuries, and suffered two torn ACLs when he was in high school. As a result, one of his knees lacks a proper ACL, and that injury history is believed to be the reason he dropped in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Still, Wilson managed to win the Check Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. That season, he had 138 combined tackles (69 solo), 18 tackles for loss, six sacks, six passes defended and a pick-six.
The Steelers already had one of the NFL's better defenses last season, and that defense could be even better this season. Wilson seems to be poised to help Tomlin keep his incredible streak of consecutive seasons without a losing record intact, even if Rodgers plays like a dead man walking this year.
For more on the Steelers and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Related Articles
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.