Linebacker Payton Wilson has expressed increased confidence as he enters his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reflecting on his development, Wilson said, “Just the confidence that I have to go out there and to make calls, give calls confidently. Last year as a rookie, a lot of it is trying to not make a mistake and this year it’s more just go make the big play.
“Confidence is the biggest thing, especially in this sport. Your mental and your confidence can take you a very long way.”
Wilson emphasized that every snap during preseason contributes to his growth: “Every rep that you get, every snap that you get, whether it’s preseason, practice, in the season, it’s valuable,” he said. “It adds a lot of confidence. It adds some experience to your resume.
“I think it’s just reps. Every single rep that you get, obviously last year I got plenty of reps. So just building off that going into the end of the season. Last year, I felt confident. Coming into OTAs and camp, just the role that they placed on me, I really enjoyed, and was super confident in that.
“It helps you go from being the young guy that doesn’t want to make a mistake to the guy that’s out there trying to make the big play.”
Wilson aims to become an every down linebacker for the defense—a goal supported by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
“It means a lot that he said that,” Wilson commented regarding Austin’s remarks about his potential expanded role. “Just continuing to prove that I can be out there for every snap. And just continuing to work on things. The preseason, you get to see what you work on. In season, if you make a mistake, it means a lot more. But just continuing the work on everything, on every down, understanding the defense more, and continuing to be out there every snap.”
Preseason competition also remains strong at other positions as players fight for roster spots ahead of final cuts.
Beanie Bishop is one such player battling for position at nickel back after making last year’s 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent. This season he faces new competition following Jalen Ramsey’s arrival via trade from Miami and Brandin Echols joining through free agency.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin spoke about Bishop’s situation: “Where Beanie fits in is he’s really going against some pretty good competition now at the nickel when you throw (Jalen Ramsey) in there and then you throw (Brandin Echols) in there,” Austin said. “He’s really got to fight and work to make some splash…these preseason games are going to be big for Beanie in the sense that he’s got one left to show us some good stuff.”
Bishop reflected on his journey: “Obviously I’m going in knowing more than I knew last year,” he said. “I have the trust of the coaches as far as knowing the plays…It’s still a battle every year to compete.” He added: “I can never be satisfied…I was always overlooked so I’ll never forget that.”
Receiver Calvin Austin III has yet to participate in preseason action due to injury but remains optimistic about his recovery timeline.
“Whenever Coach T (Mike Tomlin) pulls his trigger and talks to (Head athletic trainer) Gabe (Amponsah) and everybody I’ll be back out there,” Austin stated after Monday’s practice session.
He described sitting out practices as difficult: “It’s very frustrating…not being out there is never fun.” When asked about returning for Week 1 against New York Jets he replied: “Whatever medical staff and Coach T say I’m going follow that.”
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