Initially of this season, it appeared just like the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Russell Wilson was going to be a trick. After the final two video games, it definitely looks like a deal with. Wilson has run the Steelers’ offense properly, serving to to unlock George Pickens. Justin Fields wasn’t shy about throwing the ball as much as Pickens, however the contact Wilson throws with simply appears to suit the receiver higher. Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame extensive receiver Cris Carter believes Wilson’s presence is simply what Pickens wanted.
“They’ve had issues with [Pickens] off the sphere,” Carter mentioned not too long ago on The Stephen A. Smith Present. “You want a grown man in there throwing him the ball and speaking to him. You can begin to see that on the sphere.”
It’s in all probability not truthful to place any blame on Fields for Pickens’ points. Nonetheless, Wilson has an unlimited array of expertise with totally different proficient receivers. Due to this fact, he may be higher suited to placating Pickens. That’s not a knock on Fields; Wilson has simply seen greater than him.
That may be a part of the rationale why Mike Tomlin made the change even after Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 begin whereas Wilson was recovering from a nagging calf damage. Over the previous couple of years, the Steelers have lacked true veteran management at quarterback. They probably believed signing Wilson would change that. It’s nonetheless solely been two video games, however primarily based on every thing gamers have mentioned, that’s been true.
Carter is also talking from expertise. He’s most recognized for his time with the Minnesota Vikings, however he began his profession with the Philadelphia Eagles. Nonetheless, they ended up releasing him resulting from substance-abuse points. That’s extra severe than any of the issues Pickens has had, however the level about immaturity nonetheless stands.
Carter was as soon as that younger, troubled receiver. Even after he joined the Vikings, it took him a number of years to essentially take off. It was solely after veteran quarterback Warren Moon joined the group that Carter developed right into a Corridor of Fame expertise.
“My profession got here alive once we acquired Warren Moon,” Carter mentioned. “I’m not attempting to match Russell Wilson to Warren Moon. My profession got here alive as a result of quarterbacks that may throw the ball on an elite stage, they make the receivers higher.”
Moon and Wilson do have comparable profession paths. Moon was a franchise quarterback for the Houston Oilers, even successful Offensive Participant of the 12 months in 1990. Nonetheless, earlier than his eleventh season, Moon was traded to the Vikings. He didn’t see as a lot success with them, however he helped Carter get away and gave them comparatively good play.
Likewise, Wilson spent the primary 10 years of his profession with the Seattle Seahawks earlier than being traded to the Denver Broncos earlier than his eleventh season. Moon’s fashion was totally different in comparison with Wilson’s, however they’ve been on comparable journeys.
A lot of the identical might be mentioned about Carter and Pickens. Carter had worse private points, however as soon as he had a veteran quarterback throwing him the ball, he grew to become one of many NFL’s finest extensive receivers. Perhaps Pickens received’t see that stage of success, but it surely isn’t loopy to suppose he might put up implausible numbers with Wilson. Hopefully a few of his touchdowns begin to rely although.
