PITTSBURGH — For the past two weeks, it’s as if the Pittsburgh Steelers have woken up from a spell, or perhaps more appropriately, a curse. From the Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger In recent seasons, the Steelers’ offense has gone from explosive to vulgar. Since 2018, it’s largely been dunk passes and safe plays that made gaining 10 yards at a time seem like a daunting task.

The Steelers had probably forgotten what it was like to have an offense that does, well, what an offense is supposed to do. But since Russell Wilson took over as the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh, the Steelers suddenly have a worthwhile offense.

Against him New York Jets, Wilson’s first start of the seasonthe Steelers had 15 plays of 10 yards or more. Last week against the New York Giants, they had 14 plays of 10 yards or more in the first half alone. The last time they moved the ball this well on offense was 2018.

Even with the team’s 4-2 start with Justin Fields under center, the offense wasn’t as efficient. In two starts, Wilson was 36 of 57 for 542 passing yards and three touchdown passes and one rushing. While he fumbles because of a lost fumble, he has yet to throw an interception.

Simply put, Wilson’s ability as a pocket passer is the biggest QB upgrade in Pittsburgh in years. He analyzes defensive schemes and anticipates breakdowns in coverage in a way no one since Roethlisberger could for the Steelers. Fields, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett tried, and while each found a modicum of success, none managed to elevate the Steelers’ offense to anything more than average.

But Wilson can make the Steelers offense extraordinary, and he’s already doing it with long plays. Now, opposing defenses can’t limit the Steelers’ offense to third-and-long situations on every series. They can’t rely on the Steelers to rely on their running game to set up the passing game, because their running game is elite and Wilson’s ability to sell the play and his accuracy on the ball are killers for pass defenses.

Now with 33 plays of 10 yards or more in just two games, Wilson and the Steelers’ offense has put the NFL on notice. The easy-to-stop junior varsity offense of recent years in Pittsburgh is gone, and the versatile and deadly offense under Russ is here and eager to stay.

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