PITTSBURGH — Acrisure Stadium echoed with boos as the Pittsburgh Steelers offense struggled early in the second quarter Monday night, with fans making their frustration clear by chanting for Justin Fields. Russell Wilson’s shaky start and missed throws seemed to confirm their disappointment.
But by the end of the night, after scoring 34 unanswered points, Wilson had led the Steelers to a dominant 37-15 victory over the New York Jets. Along the way, he set a franchise record for passing yards and points scored in a debut performance.
Wilson finished with 264 passing yards and three total touchdowns. After a rough start, where he completed just 2 of 6 passes for 19 yards in the first quarter, he settled in. Over the next three quarters, Wilson completed 14 of 23 attempts for 245 yards, raising his completion percentage from 33% to 60%.
“I thought he was excellent,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “He knocked off the rust, distributed the ball, and played well as the game went on.”
Wilson acknowledged the early boos but credited his mental resilience for the turnaround, saying, “I believe in staying neutral, not getting too high or too low. I started off rough, but I knew I was going to get hot, and we did.”
The game’s turning point came late in the second quarter when Wilson connected with wide receiver George Pickens for a touchdown just before halftime. That momentum carried into the second half as Wilson scored two more touchdowns, one on a one-yard sneak and another on a four-yard pass to Van Jefferson.
Wilson’s chemistry with Pickens was evident throughout the game. The receiver finished with 111 yards on five catches, with Wilson completing 3 of 4 deep throws to him for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Despite speculation about the quarterback situation, Wilson downplayed any internal tension. “We’re just focused on winning,” he said. “Justin Fields is an incredible quarterback, and we’re both here to support the team.”
Wilson’s triumphant debut demonstrated his ability to rally and lead his new team, leaving Steelers fans with plenty to celebrate.