Pittsburgh Steelers fans did not give Russell Wilson the warmest welcome in his season debut Sunday against the New York Jets.
The Steelers trailed 7-3 and had 2nd-and-8 at its own 38 at the end of the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. Wilson began the second quarter with two brutal incompletions that led Pittsburgh to punt on fourth down.
Steelers fans showered Wilson with boos after watching the veteran QB miss two open receivers.
Broncos fans waited several weeks before we booed Russell Wilson. I k ow he’s coaching the other team but try blaming Hackett first pic.twitter.com/jG8dKEoHqQ
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) October 21, 2024
However, Wilson did redeem himself before the halftime break. The nine-time Pro Bowler closed the second quarter with a touchdown pass to George Pickens — Wilson’s first in a Steelers uniform.
Russ. Pickens. SIX.
The @Steelers take advantage of the turnover.
📺: #NYJvsPIT on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/pBbbhXiRSy— NFL (@NFL) October 21, 2024
Wilson went 8/17 for 145 yards and 1 touchdown in the first half of his Steelers debut.
Wilson missed Pittsburgh’s first six games with a calf injury. With Wilson on the sidelines through Week 6, backup QB Justin Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record.
There was understandably some debate about whether or not the Steelers should stick with Fields or make the switch to Wilson. Head coach Mike Tomlin may have gone rogue with the decision to plug in Wilson against the Jets.
