Through two games, Russell Wilson has cooked with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nothing burnt in what he’s serving up either. His first outing against the New York Jets was shaky at times, but against the New York Giants, he was dealing. He finished the game completing 20 of his 28 passes for 278 yards and one touchdown. However, former general manager Michael Lombardi isn’t ready to call Wilson a five-star chef.
“No, he’s still a short-order cook,” Lombardi said recently on The GM Shuffle podcast. “What he’s operating there, it’s more of a diner-type cook. It’s good though. It’s a good diner.”
It doesn’t sound like Lombardi is trying to bash Wilson, but he’s also not praising him like he’s a franchise quarterback again. That’s fair, especially because Wilson has only played two games this year. And it isn’t like he’s been the only reason the Steelers’ offense has looked good.
Najee Harris has been running like his hair is on fire over the past few weeks, even with a patchwork offensive line in front of him. George Pickens has done a great job coming down with contested catches. If the Steelers were a restaurant, then it’s fair to say it’s taking the whole kitchen to make a decent meal.
“I would say he’s the head chef of the Fox City Diner,” Lombardi said. “That’s who he was. It’s not the French Laundry. It ain’t the French Laundry, but it’s good enough.”
Head chef at least sounds better than short-order cook, even if it sounds like Lombardi doesn’t care much for diner food. That might be the perfect title for Wilson though. The Steelers have given him ingredients to succeed. All he needs to do put them together. If nothing else, he’s done a great job at that.
It isn’t just Pickens or Harris making plays either. Wilson is getting players like Pat Freiermuth, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III involved in the passing game. He’s using all the tools at his disposal. This is what the Steelers wanted to see out of him. Justin Fields was doing a fine job, but the Steelers felt like their offense could take another step.
A diner might not be glamorous, but it gets the job done, and sometimes it can be really good. That’s what Wilson has given the Steelers. He’s been good enough, at times even elevating the offense. However, it might take a few more great performances for Lombardi to upgrade him to a fancier title. The Steelers likely won’t complain though. They’re hungry for wins, and Wilson has delivered.
