One of many greatest the explanation why Mike Tomlin probably determined to start out QB Russell Wilson over Justin Fields is his arm expertise, and particularly Wilson’s deep ball. Tight finish Pat Freiermuth was the beneficiary of a well-thrown, downfield shot from Wilson, as he made a powerful seize on a throw from Wilson to assist arrange a subject aim drive to offer the Steelers the lead in opposition to the New York Jets.
Freiermuth stated that Wilson instructed him on the sideline he noticed Jets S Jalen Mills seize his arm on his route, which alerted Wilson that he needed to put a bit extra air on the ball to offer Freiermuth an opportunity at it.
“He even instructed me on the sideline, he noticed 35 seize my arm, so he knew to place a bit extra, and that little stuff, it’s loopy. It’s a complete totally different factor,” Freiermuth stated on the NBC postgame present after Pittsburgh’s 37-15 win over the Jets.
Watching the play, you possibly can see Mills seize Freiermuth’s arm when he goes proper to try to get round him. Wilson acknowledged that and knew he’d should put a bit extra air below the ball to offer Freiermuth time to regulate.
A veteran like Wilson simply understands the sport and might see issues higher than plenty of quarterbacks within the league, and his consideration to element and expertise got here into play on this scenario. Freiermuth deserves credit score for making a heck of a catch, however Wilson had the correct amount of contact on the ball. That allowed Freiermuth the prospect to run below it a bit bit after Mills grabbed him towards the beginning of his route. If Wilson had thrown the ball sooner or with out as a lot contact, it may’ve been contested and Freiermuth could not have been capable of haul it in.
Whereas Wilson and Freiermuth solely linked twice, each receptions have been explosive performs, as Freiermuth had a 30-yard catch and a 21-yard catch. It was good to see him become involved within the offense and make some performs downfield, and with Wilson below middle, it appears as if Pittsburgh’s passing assault will probably be opened up a bit bit. Freiermuth is actually the crew’s No. 2 receiver proper now, behind George Pickens, and persevering with to permit him to make performs downfield will open issues up for the remainder of the offense, too.
Freiermuth’s position ought to broaden with Wilson and his arm expertise, and that ought to imply good issues for Pittsburgh’s offense. Wilson’s arm expertise was on show Sunday evening after a shaky begin to the sport as he knocked some rust off. If he can play the way in which he did in opposition to the Jets over the subsequent few weeks, the Steelers’ offense will probably be in good fingers.
