PITTSBURGH – Two series after Russell Wilson’s first start as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, a small amount of boos rained down on Acrisure Stadium.

After Wilson’s promising opening drive failed in field goal range, the Steelers went three and out on their second series. On the next drive, those boos grew after another three-and-out. The next series, a third consecutive three-and-out, caused even more discontent among the crowd.

At that moment, a small chant began to echo through the stadium: “JUSTIN. FIELDS. JUSTIN. FIELDS.”

When Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made the somewhat brave decision this week to move on from Fields during a 4-2 start to the season, he was putting his faith in a 35-year-old QB who arrived in Denver after two turbulent seasons. . Maybe the change would take the offense to another level? Maybe the offense would unravel behind Wilson, and so will the Steelers’ season?

No one knew exactly how it would end. The only certainty was that the decision would be heavily scrutinized.

“I own the decision,” Tomlin said Friday when asked about a possible change, placing the responsibility squarely on his own shoulders.

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During Wilson’s injury absence, Justin Fields played his best football as a pro. Given that he is only 25 years old, was a dynamic element on the floor and continued to improve as a passer, many in Pittsburgh had already pegged the former Bear as the future behind the center and were able to withstand an upheaval. During an uneven first quarter, it appeared that Tomlin’s turn to Wilson might backfire as Wilson completed only two passes.

“I felt like it was playoff baseball in the sense that I started 0-for-2, but I felt like I was going to get hot,” Wilson said. “I kept telling coach (Tomlin), I’m going to get hot here. And yes, we did that.”

Tomlin stayed the course – and was ultimately proven right.

A game that started with quarterback questions and palpable tension in the stadium ended with Najee Harris jumping into the stands to celebrate a 37-15 victory over the New York Jets. Wilson completed 16 of 29 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown on a QB sneak to help the Steelers improve to 5-2.

With that, Wilson fulfilled his coach’s confidence. For the first time in weeks, there will be no question of which quarterback will or should start next week. It’s Wilson’s job until something fundamentally changes.

“I thought (Wilson) was excellent,” Tomlin said. “I thought he got better as the game went on. But I’m not surprised about that. It’s been a while since he’s played ball. But I thought he settled down, knocked the rust off and distributed the ball around.”

In his first start as a Steeler, Wilson was a key catalyst for an offense that scored 31 unanswered points. In many ways, the offense reached a level it hasn’t reached in a while, showing poise and the ability to highlight key playmakers.

Wilson spread the ball to six pass catchers, showing the comfort of a quarterback with Super Bowl experience and 13 NFL seasons on his resume. Receiver Van Jefferson scored his first touchdown as a Steeler. Tight end Darnell Washington showed he can be more than just a blocker. Pat Freiermuth gained a lot of yards after the catch.

But no one benefited more from the QB change than receiver George Pickens.

Wilson said that after Pickens’ game two weeks ago against the Dallas Cowboys, when his frustration surfaced several times, the quarterback sat down with the receiver to help him stay engaged. On Sunday, their two skills proved to be a stylistic match. While Wilson brought his signature moon ball and Pickens’ Madden-esque catch radius, the third-year receiver erupted with five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.

“George is so talented,” Wilson said. “He makes it easy for the quarterback. He knows how to open up. He knows how to make plays. His ability to make contested catches is remarkable.”

To put the performance in perspective, Pickens was often guarded by standout cornerback Sauce Gardner. He anchors a secondary that — while missing several key defensive backs — limited opponents to the second-fewest receiving yards per game (148.8). Instead of shying away from that game, the Steelers took their chances. And won.

“They played a lot of man-to-man situations,” Pickens said. “When you encounter situations like that, you absolutely have to capitalize.”

As time expired in the first half and the Steelers trailed 15-6, it looked like Pittsburgh was in another one of its classic low-scoring rock fights. But when undrafted rookie defenseman Beanie Bishop recognized a play he had seen the Green Bay Packers run on film for Davante Adams, he jumped the route and intercepted Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers offense took advantage of the miscue by driving 54 yards in four plays and 48 seconds. Wilson capped the drive when he connected with Pickens on a fade in the right corner of the end zone.

George Pickens’ 11-yard touchdown brought the Steelers within two points with 32 seconds left in the first half. (Barry Reeger/Imagn Images)

“When I threw that first touchdown to George,” Wilson said, “that was the moment I thought: There will be many more.”

The late score at the end of the first half brought the Steelers within two points and shifted the momentum in their favor. From there, the offense found another gear in the second half.

The poise that sometimes eluded the Steelers came to the fore. Pittsburgh’s ground game took off in the second half, as Harris eclipsed the 100-yard mark with 102 yards for the second consecutive game.

With the Steelers leading 16-15 midway through the third quarter, Bishop turned the tide again when he intercepted Rodgers for the second time. This time he returned it to the 1-yard line to set up Wilson for the QB sneak to put the Steelers ahead 23-15.

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From there they rolled.

“This is the most efficient (we’ve been) in the years I’ve been here,” said Harris, who is in his fourth season. “We usually turn it around later in the season. But the fact that this is happening so early and that this momentum is there, I think is a sign of what will happen in the future.”

That sense of optimism was palpable on the Pittsburgh sideline.

For years, the Steelers have scratched and clawed their way to a winning record using a familiar formula. Often the defense dominates or at least provides the timely, game-turning splash play. And offensively, the Steelers have often done just enough to pull out wins. The truth is, despite the offense, the Steelers have won countless games in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.

After the way the second half unfolded, there’s a reason to believe this offense can reach another level — and that Wilson can help be part of that change.

“I feel like we have a young offense, young players that are so talented and we’re right at the cusp of really getting good and being great,” Wilson said. “We have to keep looking for that edge.”

While it’s just one game against a dysfunctional Jets team, this could be a stepping stone. If the Steelers continue to play defense at the same level for most of the season, run the ball with the same efficiency as the last two games, and then get the needed jolt from the quarterback, maybe this team can make some noise in January.

“Part of my job, I think, now that I’ve been in the game for 13 years, is to make sure that I get guys to that edge and understand that we have to get there and we can’t wait,” Wilson said . “That’s the most important thing right now: there’s a lot more room to grow and we’re going for it.”

After Sunday, there should be no doubt about which quarterback is the starter. The new question is: How far can the veteran QB take them?

(Top photo of George Pickens and Russell Wilson: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)