The Steelers win over the Vikings last week in Dublin did more than just give the franchise its first 3-1 start in five years: At allowed two players to showcase talents that fall well outside of the “measurables.”
To be sure, there were plenty of encouraging “measurables” on display, from D.K. Metcalf’s monster touchdown, to Nick Herbig’s not-so-quiet campaign to Wally Pipp Alex Highsmith, to big plays by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward.
- Those players, along with several others, authored great performances.
But the two that give this scribe hope came from Broderick Jones and Peyton Wilson.
Broadrick Jones during the Steelers win in Dublin. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com
Both men had earned their fair share of criticism during the first 3 weeks of the season and for good reason. And both men improved their performances, as measured by the stat sheet.
Broderick Jones’ came just before the 2 minute warning of the first half.
Broderick Jones with the fumble recovery! About time he shows up. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/ouJu2Dv5FH
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) September 28, 2025
Given that this drive ended in a blocked Chris Boswell field goal its easy to overlook this play. And superficial observers could counter by pointing out that Lady Luck shone her favor on Broderick Jones as Aaron Rodgers’ fumble literally bounced into his lap.
But that would be the cynical take.
Broderick Jones was able to capitalize on that luck because he was in the right place, and he was in the right place because he was running to the ball. You’ll note that this is the same trait that Chuck Noll complimented Franco Harris for immediately after the Immaculate Reception.
No one of course is over-looking Payton Wilson’s big moment, capping off what had already been a big day for him. But the focus here on this play falls a bit off the mark. Everyone’s commenting on how his 22.48 m.p.h speed is the fastest and NFL linebacker has been clocked at since 2017.
Fair enough. How many linebackers can outrun a high-pedigree wide receiver has a head start? Not many.
But, as observed in the Steelers Report Card, Wilson’s run down of Jordan Addison says as much about his heart and passion for the game as it does about his athleticism. How many thought that Addison was taking it to the house as soon as he caught it?
- That’s everyone in the stadium and everyone who watched on TV.
Well, everyone except Payton Wilson. Making a play like that doesn’t just require speed, it requires want-to, hunger for victory and above all belief that you can make a difference.
Hustle and heart alone don’t translate into wins, championships or All Pro careers. If they did, Merril Hoge would be candidate for membership in the Pro Football Hall of Fame instead of the Steelers Hall of Honor.
But Jones’ and Wilson’s displays of focus and desire are a refreshing contrast to the the way we saw Diontae Johnson and George Pickens mail it in at critical moments in years’ past.
And that’s a positive change as the Steelers exit the bye week.
