Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Not a Fan of Russell Wilson’s INT

PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson has been smart with the football with just two interceptions through his first four starts, but he made maybe his most head-scratching play of the season in Week 11.

Up 15-10 with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter, Wilson tried to lob a pass to tight end Darnell Washington. It didn’t play out how Wilson was likely imagining it would, however, as Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey came down with the interception.

While some would argue that 6-foot-7 Washington could have done more to try and highpoint the ball, head coach Mike Tomlin simply believes it should have never been thrown in the first place.

“I just wish Russ hadn’t thrown it,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers had struggled to get into the end zone all afternoon, but settling for a field goal would have made it an eight-point game in a tight contest.

Luckily for the Steelers, they were still able to squeak out the 18-16 win to remain atop the AFC North.

“I tried to give Darnell a shot down there in the red zone,” Wilson said. “We needed a play, we needed a touchdown. I was trying to throw it up to the big man, and they made a play unfortunately.”

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington during a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 21, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Washington was having one of the best games of his young NFL career. The second-year tight end reeled in two catches for a career-high 42 yards. So it makes sense Wilson wanted to look his way once again on an important third-and-goal.

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The two weren’t able to connect for a touchdown on Sunday, but they’ll have a chance to try again soon with a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns on “Thursday Night Football.”

Tomlin knows Washington is a mismatch and the Steelers will continue to utilize him as such.

“It’s big when you got a guy like that running down the middle of the field,” Tomlin said. “I think Darnell’s play in the middle open of the field was a reflection of that.

Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.