The concept of a quarterback controversy is a new one for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who didn’t have to worry about the position when Ben Roethlisberger was under center for 15 seasons.

Once Roethlisberger retired, the carousel began. Mitchell Trubisky gave way to Kenny Pickett, who gave way to Mason Rudolph. Just when it looked like Russell Wilson was at least the temporary solution at the position, a calf injury opened the door for Justin Fields to steal the job — and many believed he did. 

Tomlin bucked conventional wisdom by turning away from the quarterback who helped power the Steelers to a 4-2 start and trusting the veteran Wilson instead. While Tomlin’s track record isn’t without mistakes, this call certainly looks like one he nailed. 

Wilson instantly showed a strong connection with George Pickens in his Steelers debut against the Jets, and he proved Sunday against the Commanders that it wasn’t just a flash in the pan as he led Pittsburgh to a comeback win vs. Washington.

Russell Wilson after the Steelers W 😂 🕺

pic.twitter.com/PrxaADy9qx

— Novo (@NovoHeat) November 10, 2024

Wilson didn’t light up the stat sheet against the Commanders. In fact, he completed only nine of his first 21 passes. When the Steelers entered the red zone, though, Wilson’s experience mattered. He hit Pickens and Pat Freiermuth for touchdowns in the first half, and he made the play of the day when he dropped a 32-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams right in the bucket late in the fourth quarter.

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The win was at least partly the result of Wilson’s steadiness under center. The Steelers made a bevy of mistakes, from a failed fake punt attempt early on to a critical goal-line fumble by Jaylen Warren in the second half. Each time the Steelers got the ball, Wilson made sure those mistakes didn’t come from the top. His only interception was effectively an arm punt on a third-and-14. 

Wilson can’t run like Fields can, but it’s difficult to envision Fields finding Williams for the touchdown like Wilson did. Fields had a hard time eliminating mistakes, including fumbles, when he was under center. With Wilson at quarterback, Tomlin can trust his defense knowing the offense won’t give the opponent as many unnecessary opportunities. 

There’s no turning back now: at 7-2, Wilson is in it for the long haul as the Steelers try to cling to the AFC North lead. 

Russell Wilson stats vs. Commanders

• Comp.: 14-28 (50.0%)
• Pass yards: 195
• Pass TD: 3
• INT: 1
• Sacks: 3

Wilson had his worst statistical performance of his three Steelers starts on Sunday, but it still wasn’t anything Pittsburgh could complain about. He found the end zone three times, dropping in a perfect pass to Williams when it mattered most despite Williams joining the team just five days earlier. 

Through three starts, Wilson has six touchdowns to one interception with a perfect 3-0 record. That’s one more touchdown pass than Fields threw in six starts to open the season.

The Steelers are happy to have both Wilson and Fields in their quarterback room, but the path to their first playoff win in eight seasons — and perhaps more — runs through Wilson at the moment.

MORE: Inside Mike Tomlin’s dominant record vs. rookie QBs

Mike Williams touchdown vs. Commanders

Williams had one catch in his Steelers debut, and he made the most of it,

Welcome to Pittsburgh, Mike Williams. pic.twitter.com/Uz2lntk2gK

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2024

The former Charger and Jet caught a perfect pass on the run, beating Commanders CB Benjamin St-Juste. The play was equally as impressive for Wilson, who got the ball out within a couple of seconds and didn’t seem any worse off for it.

Williams fell out of favor in New York after multiple late-game mistakes cost the Jets, but there was no denying his impact with the Chargers when healthy. The Steelers are hoping to build Williams’ confidence back up, and a go-ahead touchdown is one way to do that.