On Tuesday afternoon, Mike Williams was jolted awake by a flurry of calls and texts. He quickly discovered he’d been traded from the New York Jets to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I thought I was dreaming,” Williams recalled.
Just five days later, Williams made a significant impact, stepping up in a high-pressure moment. With the Steelers trailing the Washington Commanders by six points and only 2:27 remaining, they faced a critical third-and-9 from the 32-yard line. Pittsburgh called a shot play they had practiced all week—but not with Williams.
“I didn’t run it one time in practice,” Williams admitted.
Initially, the play was designed for speedster Calvin Austin III on a deep route. However, when Austin went down earlier in the drive, quarterback Russell Wilson briefed Williams on the route on the sideline. Having played only a few snaps in the game, Williams had been keeping himself ready by jogging on the sidelines.
When Williams took the field, he delivered. Wilson launched one of his signature deep passes, and instead of looking back, Williams tracked the ball over his shoulder, securing a game-winning touchdown as he tumbled to the turf.
Williams’ first catch as a Steeler helped Pittsburgh clinch a thrilling 28-27 victory, lifting their record to 7-2 and handing the Commanders only their third loss of the season. It capped a comeback from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter, overcoming several miscues, including a dropped pass on a fake punt and a near-goal-line fumble by Jaylen Warren in the fourth quarter.
Wilson praised the team’s resilience, saying, “In a game, you have about 75 plays, and you want to see how many great moments you can have. We had that one in a key part of the game.”
Despite defensive struggles—giving up slant routes, chunk plays, and even incurring penalties—the Steelers’ defense regrouped to make pivotal third- and fourth-down stops. The offense, showcasing its new weapon in Williams, showed its ability to bounce back in clutch moments.
“We’re seeing guys answer the call,” Wilson said. “In tough moments, it’s all about collective effort. When everyone stays focused, those are the moments we look forward to.”
This offensive surge marked a departure from the Steelers’ usual low-scoring, defense-driven wins. Scoring four touchdowns, they demonstrated that they’re no longer reliant solely on their defense. With upgrades at quarterback (Wilson), offensive line, and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh is proving its offense can be the difference-maker.
Since Wilson replaced Justin Fields, the Steelers have averaged 382 yards and over 31 points per game. His leadership and experience have paid off, particularly in tense moments like Sunday’s game. And he’s unlocking the potential of George Pickens, who tallied 91 yards and made a highlight-reel touchdown catch to open the scoring.
Reflecting on the game, Coach Mike Tomlin summed it up: “When you come into an environment like this and find a way to win, it’s more than just a victory—it’s growth. We learned a lot about ourselves today, and that’s a big step forward.”
GEORGE PICKENS TD OH MY
— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
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“Letting the ball loose, that’s one of the biggest components of his game,” Pickens said. “Trusting the receivers when it’s a certain coverage, when you see certain space, front pylon, back pylon, he’s going to release it.”
With his signature moonball throws and a sharp focus, Russell Wilson now has a dynamic new target in Mike Williams. Standing 6-foot-4 and boasting three 1,000-yard seasons, Williams is known for stretching the field with his vertical attacks—a perfect fit for Wilson’s deep-ball prowess. As Williams becomes more comfortable with the playbook, builds chemistry with Wilson, and gains the trust of the coaching staff, his deep-threat skills are set to shine. His presence could bring much-needed balance to an offense that has often leaned heavily on George Pickens.
This progress will be crucial as the Steelers face a tough second-half schedule. Before their Week 9 bye, Pittsburgh’s most challenging offensive matchup was against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Now, they’re set to encounter some of the league’s highest-scoring offenses, including the Ravens, Commanders, Bengals, Chiefs, and Eagles—all ranking in the top eight by Week 10. Only the struggling Browns provide a slight break.
“We knew we’d have to put up points against an offense like [the Commanders],” Pickens noted.
That urgency won’t let up anytime soon. With the high-powered Ravens coming up in Week 11, followed by teams led by Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes, the Steelers are likely to find themselves in high-stakes shootouts or trying to overcome two-score deficits.
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers often relied on defensive stars like T.J. Watt to save the day in tight games. But now, with an offense that’s coming alive, showcasing its playmakers, and performing in critical moments, the Steelers have multiple ways to win. They’re no longer simply surviving on defense—they’re showing they can win because of their offense, marking a new chapter for the team.
“We can put points up on the board,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “We’ve shown that, really the whole season. The defense can rely on us.”
(Photo of Mike Williams, 18, and Pat Freiermuth: Geoff Burke / Imagn Images)
