The Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night was a disaster, and quarterback Russell Wilson is shouldering much of the blame from the team’s fan base.
Wilson, who will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback this season, had a dismal performance, completing just four passes for 16 yards and taking three sacks, leading to no points scored. The 35-year-old quarterback, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks a decade ago and spent two tumultuous seasons with the Denver Broncos, was criticized heavily by Steelers fans on social media.
Many fans took to social media to express their disappointment and frustration with Wilson’s performance, with some even suggesting that he was the problem. “I’m starting to think Russell Wilson was the problem,” one fan tweeted. Another fan wrote, “Russell Wilson in 5 drives vs. Buffalo: 47 yards, 3 sacks, 6 checkdowns, 0 points. MISSION FAILED WE’LL GET EM NEXT TIME BOYS.”
Other fans pointed out that Wilson’s struggles were reminiscent of his time with the Broncos, where he was often criticized for his inability to perform under pressure. “Russell Wilson was sacked 3 times for 21 yards in losses. His four completions were for 16 yards. Thus, minus-5 passing yards. The sacks — often on the QB — were part of what drove Sean Payton batty and why the Broncos absorbed $85M in dead cap over two years to move on,” one fan wrote.
Wilson’s backup, Justin Fields, did not fare much better, but at least led the Steelers to points in the 9-3 defeat. The Steelers have one more preseason game against the Detroit Lions before the regular season begins.
Wilson faces a tough task in the AFC North, which features the Super Bowl-contender Baltimore Ravens, a Cincinnati Bengals team with a healthy Joe Burrow, and the Cleveland Browns, who made the playoffs last season. The Steelers will face off against the Kirk Cousins-led Atlanta Falcons in their season opener.
Russell Wilson is getting a majority of the blame from Steelers fans for Saturday night’s loss
Wilson finished the game with 47 passing yards, three sacks taken, and six check-down passes
A collection of social-media messages from Steelers fans upset with Wilson’s performance
The Steelers will face a tough road ahead, with Wilson facing stiff competition in the AFC North. The team’s fans will be hoping for a turnaround in performance from their quarterback as the regular season approaches.