Former NFL linebacker slams Steelers for naming Russell Wilson captain: ‘I have a huge problem with that’

The Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday named their four captains for the 2024 NFL season. They will be defensive end Cam Heyward, outside linebacker TJ Watt, special teams ace Miles Killebrew and quarterback Russell Wilson. All of the captains were voted on by the players, including Wilson, who is a new addition to the locker room and has been lauded for his leadership.

However, former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho has a problem with the Steelers naming Wilson captain, mainly because he thinks Wilson could be replaced by Justin Fields at some point during the season. For Acho, there is no reason to make someone captain if they could be replaced at any point during the NFL season.

“I have a huge problem with that,” Acho said. “Here’s my problem with that. Russell Wilson, I think, is one of the greatest men I’ve ever met in my life. We came into the National Football League together. Russell Wilson is probably one of the best male leaders in the business. My problem is, don’t appoint a captain that you can bench.”

On the one hand, Acho’s statement doesn’t make much sense in light of the fact that the Steelers players voted for him. Mike Tomlin may make the decisions as coach, but the players vote on who gets named captain. In fact, the last two starting quarterbacks, Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, were both named captains, even though they ended up being benched during the season.

Wilson has been praised throughout the locker room for what he brings to the team, especially since he is one of the few players to have won a Super Bowl. With his experience, Wilson has seen it all throughout his long NFL career, and so the Steelers will be competing for his skills. Acho emphasizes that the Steelers need to know who will lead them on the field every game, and that is where the captaincy should be given, and for now, it is Wilson. Even though he is benched, it is not a big deal for the Steelers, who have also been impressed by the leadership that Fields has shown.