Steelers Now
UNITY TWP, Pa. – Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson said at training camp last week that he views himself as an elite coverage linebacker. One of the best in the league, in fact.
“We run a lot of man here. That’s definitely been beneficial for my skillset. I feel like I’m one of the better cover linebackers in the world, to be honest,” Wilson said. “I feel like any tight end, any running back that lines up out there, I’m willing to go toe to toe with them. I’m just excited for whatever role they give me.”
Wilson will put his coverage skill sets to use this week when the Steelers have linebacker/running back one-on-one drills.
“I’m ready to play some daggum ball, hit Jaylen Warren a little bit, fly around, hit some O-linemen. This is what you look forward to,” Wilson said.
Why Warren in particular? “Because he’ll be out there first,” he said.
Wilson is just ready to get the pads popping.
“We’ve been playing in underwear, now it’s time to see who the real football players are,” he said.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is looking forward to seeing the team’s running backs crash into the linebackers. He’s most excited to see Wilson line up against running back Kenneth Gainwell in the passing game.
“You know, I like Kenny (Gainwell) versus Payton Wilson in routes,” Tomlin said after practice on Sunday. “Kenny G is showing a really good aptitude from a route-running standpoint out of the backfield. Payton Wilson, in the second year, is a guy that’s working to be dominant in the area. It’s just one of those matchups that has my attention.”
Wilson said Tomlin has talked to him about the matchup.
“Yeah, it’s up in the team meeting room everyday,” Wilson said. “Every rep, me and KG go at it. [Tomlin] puts it up. It’s just great being in a great competitive environment and he makes it that way on purpose. Every rep that you (get), you know you’re going to be on the big board, so you want to compete the hardest you can. And credit to KG as one of the best route-runner running backs that I’ve ever faced. The work that we’re going to give each other is really going to help us.”
Wilson recorded 78 tackles (49 solo), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one interception and two passes defensed as a rookie behind Elandon Roberts and Patrick Queen.
Wilson is excited to do just that after having to learn on the fly in 2024. He now knows the defense like the back of his hand.
“The confidence just comes with reps,” Wilson said.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from St. Vincent College.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers LB Payton Wilson Looks Forward to Intense Training Camp Battle
