The Pittsburgh Steelers’ struggles continued Saturday night with a narrow two-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, marking their fourth consecutive defeat.
However, quarterback Russell Wilson is focused on what lies ahead, not the team’s recent slump.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Wilson dismissed concerns about the losing streak, emphasizing the importance of moving forward as the playoffs approach.
“I don’t really wanna talk about the past just because I think we’ve been in that for a little bit here,” Wilson said.
“I think the best thing we can do is get ready for the playoffs. It’s a new season. That’s the only thing that really matters anymore at this point, right?”
The veteran nine-time Pro Bowler acknowledged that a win against the Bengals would have been beneficial but stressed that the playoffs provide a clean slate.
“The reality is, obviously us winning that game would have helped us in some form or fashion. But at the end of the day, when you go into the playoffs, everybody’s 0-0,” he said.
“You gotta beat everybody anyway. And that’s gotta be our focus right now.”
Wilson’s comments drew criticism from ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Clark during SportsCenter.
“It’s our job to talk about the past,” Van Pelt said.
“It seems pretty relevant right now,” Clark responded.
“We’re not talking about 19… we’re not talking about the Great Depression. We’re talking about the game you guys just lost, that’s the fourth in a row,” Van Pelt added.
While Wilson’s optimism may seem misplaced amid the Steelers’ ongoing challenges, it’s clear he’s trying to maintain a positive outlook as the team heads into a critical postseason.
On one hand, it’s true that nothing in the past matters right now. Everybody is once again 0-0 and while some paths are harder than others, only the best and most deserving teams will advance going forward.
Having said that, Wilson making that comment immediately following yet another disappointing loss was hard for some Steelers fans to handle.
It’s no secret that Wilson has taken a step back as the season has progressed. Sure, he can change the whole narrative with a strong showing in the playoffs.
However, even the most optimistic Steelers fan can’t be too confident about their chances in the postseason.
What are your thoughts on Wilson’s comments? … Are his days numbered in Pittsburgh???
