Steelers TE delivers honest take after Russell Wilson's influence
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has paid tribute to Russell Wilson's leadership capabilities. The quarterback is coming off of a disastrous couple of years in Denver, which saw his stock fall dramatically. When he joined the Broncos from the Seahawks, it was thought he would be the missing piece that drove the franchise back to the playoffs.
But they never made the postseason with him there and now the many NFL fans see him as a has-been. While that might not be fair to someone who has achieved all that Russell Wilson has in the game, that is the reality. It is why even the Pittsburgh Steelers offered him a deal just for the upcoming season and when it is being majorly subsidized by the Broncos through his existing contract with them.
But Freiermuth was willing to go on record with Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live and say that Russell Wilson is still the leader that they were looking for. The tight end mentioned that before every practice, the quarterback is so thorough with his preparations that it looks like he is getting ready for a game. He even said that he had never been around someone so detail-oriented as Wilson, commenting,
“Told me everything about his leadership and his desire to win. I think that in my whole career, I’ve never really been around someone who has been so detailed in everything he does. Every practice, he’s doing his routine as he’s doing it for a game."
Freiermuth thinks Russell Wilson will help young Steelers offense
Freiermuth also added that the experience Russell Wilson brings is vital because the Steelers offense consists of many young players. So, to have someone in the locker room who has won the Super Bowl and has been a Pro-Bowl player a bunch of times conveys the level where others have to be. The tight end opined,
"I think that’s something that’s really good for us because we’re a young offense, and I think seeing a guy like that who’s been in the league, won a Super Bowl, been to a bunch of Pro Bowls, been All-Pro, just seeing how he works and what it takes to get to that level, I think it’s been good for everyone, and I think I’m excited to see that for the year.”
Russell Wilson ought to be heartened by what he is hearing. After two years with the Broncos where everything he did was under scrutiny, getting a vote of confidence from a teammate will feel good. Now, he needs to deliver when the season begins so that the positive vibes don't evaporate.