Russell Wilson, known for his Super Bowl win with the Seattle Seahawks and the “Let Russ Cook” movement, made a name for himself as one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks, known for his mobility, accuracy, and playmaking abilities.
Though his career had stumbled during his time with the Denver Broncos, he seems to have found a second wind with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are letting him rediscover his improvisational game. The freedom he’s now enjoying is bringing glimpses of his former self, sparking comparisons to younger stars like Patrick Mahomes.
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Wilson’s current performance hints at the player he used to be-a quarterback who could turn any play into a game-changing moment. Unlike his time with the Broncos under coaches Sean Payton and Nathaniel Hackett, where Wilson struggled to find his groove, he now has the latitude to create on the fly.
Football analysts Mike Florio and Michael Holley recently pointed out that the restricted system in Denver didn’t suit Wilson, who thrives on spontaneous play. “The thing that’s keeping me from being regarded as being the caliber of player they are is that they don’t let me [cook],” Florio quoted Wilson’s thoughts on Pro Football Talk.
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In today’s NFL, comparisons between quarterbacks are inevitable. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have redefined the position, pushing the boundaries of what a QB can do. Mahomes’ seemingly effortless long passes and Allen’s unpredictable runs have set a new standard. While Wilson once played at this high-octane level, Florio suggests that “Russ might have been looking to siege control of the Broncos offense,” a level of control that Payton’s system didn’t allow.
Where Mahomes and Allen have youth on their side, making their improvisations appear second nature, Wilson’s older legs may be less suited to pulling plays “out of thin air.”
But Monday Night Football showed that Wilson still has plenty of fuel left. His performance against the Giants was a throwback to his best years in Seattle, complete with “moonballs” to his receivers and quick decisions on the run. He threw for 278 yards with a 114.9 passer rating, guiding the Steelers to a 26-18 win and keeping the franchise’s MNF winning streak alive-a record they’ve held since 1992.
Now heading into a bye week, Wilson has a chance to keep building with the Steelers, who’ll face the Washington Commanders next. For fans and teammates, seeing “Russ Cook” again in Pittsburgh offers hope that he can recapture the magic that once made him one of the NFL’s most electrifying quarterbacks.
