Russell Wilson Was NFL’s Finest QB To One Space Of The Subject (And It is Not The place You Assume)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is understood for his moon ball and sideline throws. If he sees 1v1 protection to the skin, he’s taking his shot. However a brand new examine reveals Wilson ranked the NFL’s finest within the space of the sector he’s identified for the least. The center.

In a chart shared by The thirty third Workforce, Wilson had the most effective EPA between the numbers from 20-30 yards downfield.

It’s a hyper-specific a part of the sector and the chart doesn’t present what number of makes an attempt Wilson or any of those quarterbacks had in 2024. In our remaining Steelers passing chart courtesy of our Clayton Eckert, Wilson accomplished 83.3 p.c of his throws between the numbers general, although that accounts for all ranges of the sector and never simply 20-30 yards. His information level chart is extra particular and highlights the dearth of pattern measurement right here with what seems to be simply three makes an attempt through the common season.

A type of seems to be Wilson’s landing go to WR Calvin Austin III in a loss to the Cleveland Browns, hitting him down the seam within the snow.

Russell Wilson connects with Calvin Austin III for the TD and the Steelers TAKE THE LEAD over the Browns 🤯pic.twitter.com/YqQzNfd6w9

A small pattern measurement with a few huge performs was sufficient to push the needle in Wilson’s favor. Although it’s only some makes an attempt, it highlights that Wilson can throw the ball over the center when requested to and isn’t as restricted as some imagine.

Nonetheless, his bread and butter is pushing the ball down the sidelines. It helped that’s how Pittsburgh was constructed with WR George Pickens at his finest on go-balls downfield whereas the Steelers didn’t have as a lot firepower over the center. Austin made performs however TE Pat Freiermuth was restricted to operating quick routes and had a low depth of goal, disappointingly not used down the seam as a lot as different seasons.

Although there isn’t a lot of a takeaway, it’s attention-grabbing to see the AFC North symbolize the center of the sector. The Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow led in-between-the-numbers throws of 30-plus yards whereas the Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson led from 10-20.