Later today, quarterback Russell Wilson will make his preseason debut for the Steelers, the culmination of a process that began after the Broncos waived Wilson and the Steelers decided to sign him to a one-year, $1.21 million contract.
During a recent feature on Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation, ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio asked coach Mike Tomlin if he had called Broncos coach Sean Payton to find out if Wilson was still fit.
“I did not,” Tomlin said. “That’s up to me and our job to make that decision, so I’m not shirking responsibility. This is the Steelers doing the Steelers job. We gather information. We do the proper investigation, we make a decision and we’re not looking back. Out of respect, we’re not going to take comfort in the opinions of anyone outside of the Steelers. That’s how we do our job.”
That sounds good, but it’s a very broad statement: The Steelers will undoubtedly talk to a wide range of players outside of the Steelers when scouting rookies.
As for Wilson, at least give Payton a call. Yes, the teams are rivals, but both coaches are in a larger ecosystem that is driven by relationships. Payton, for example, may need some information on former Steelers players at some point.
Tomlin tends not to take Payton’s opinion of Wilson too seriously, but the information may still be valuable given his natural inclination to not want to see Wilson succeed and for Payton to look bad for passing on him.
Opinions are one thing. Facts are another. Talking with Payton could have given Tomlin a fact or two that would be relevant to his final decision. If Tomlin and the Steelers aren’t in the habit of making those kinds of decisions, then they’re not looking at all the possibilities, which means they end up missing out on something that could have avoided a mistake.
