NFL
How does the Mike Tomlin-Russell Wilson relationship function?
The Steelers head coach said the relationship between him and the experienced quarterback that came from Denver is still in the early stages.
The Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College ahead of the 2024 NFL season has wrapped up, and the AFC North franchise is gearing up for its final preseason matchups. The black-and-yellow team will begin a new era with Russell Wilson leading the offense, and head coach Mike Tomlin said he has worked on his relationship with the quarterback who is set to become the starter.
“We’ve known each other from a distance. Obviously, we’re both from Virginia. But you don’t really know people until you have a chance to work with them day in and day out, and we’ve laid a foundation in that regard,” Tomlin said. “To be honest, this is just getting started. The journey that this season is going to give us opportunities to do that.”
Virginia Stadium is the ultimate link between quarterback and coach. Tomlin was born in Hampton, grew up in Denbigh, and studied in Williamsburg. Wilson, meanwhile, attended high school at the Collegiate School in Richmond.
They faced each other twice, and the then-Seattle Seahawks player won both encounters with great performances. In 2015, he threw for 345 yards and five touchdowns, while in 2019, he scored three times and reached 300 yards but was sacked four times.
Wilson to play against the Bills
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to return to Pittsburgh for a joint practice session with the Buffalo Bills ahead of their upcoming match at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday.
This will mark quarterback Wilson’s long-awaited return to the field after his calf injury during conditioning tests. Coach Tomlin has already expressed optimism about Wilson’s recovery and progress.
If Wilson is given the opportunity to play on Saturday, it could serve as his sole chance to exhibit his ability within the Steelers’ new offensive system before the commencement of the regular season. This becomes crucial if Coach Tomlin opts to rest the team’s starters in the final preseason game against the Lions on August 24th.