Draft pick Payton Wilson brings passion to Steelers LB corps

What Payton Wilson lacks in a prominent piece of fibrous connective tissue, he makes up for in knowing exactly the right things to say.

Call it a different way of displaying a high football IQ, at least when it came to Wilson’s words during his conference call with Pittsburgh media after being a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday.

Wilson, who reportedly is missing an ACL in one of his knees, mentioned few current and former NFL linebackers during his approximately 5-minute phone call. And among those he cited were the player he hopes to partner with in the middle of the Steelers’ defense and a franchise icon.

“Bill Cowher, that’s one of my idols,” said Wilson of the Hall of Fame former Steelers coach. “An N.C. State legend, someone who lives life the right way as well as on and off the field.”

Before Cowher, a Crafton native, won a Super Bowl ring as coach of his hometown NFL team, he was an inside linebacker just like Wilson.

Cowher also was a team captain at N.C. State just like Wilson.

And was honored as a Wolfpack season MVP just like Wilson.

“His name’s in the Ring of Honor at N.C. State, and he’s one of the best coaches to ever coach in the game and one of the best linebackers to ever play (in college),” Wilson said. “I’m super excited to wear this jersey and continue his legacy.”

If Wilson is to forge his own legacy with the Steelers, it much more likely will be on the field as a linebacker. And if Wilson is to find success as a rookie, it will come with how well he is playing in conjunction with the team’s other new inside linebacker.

Along with former Carolina Panthers star Luke Kuechly, Wilson cited the new Steelers linebacker as a role model.

“I’ve actually studied Patrick Queen,” Wilson said.

Last month, Queen inked the most lucrative contract the Steelers have given to an external free agent. He is their latest attempt in what has been a seemingly miserable effort to find long-term answers at inside linebacker.

Queen assures he will be a major part of that. But Wilson, too, aspires to be a steady sideline-to-sideline playmaker for the Steelers after a college career in which — when healthy — he did it all.

“My versatility kind of speaks for itself,” said Wilson, a consensus All-American who was one of the nation’s leading tacklers and also had three interceptions and six sacks in 2023. “I’m able to play in the box as well as drop into coverage. Growing up, just watching the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, that’s kind of the way that I modeled the way I play. Just hard and fast and physical and playing as tough as you can play.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin referred to Wilson as “an award-winning linebacker.” That’s a nod to the Butkus (nation’s best linebacker) and Bednarik (nation’s best defensive player) awards bestowed upon Wilson, who was ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

So what did the Steelers get with their fourth pick of the draft (No. 98 overall)? That missing ACL just scratches the surface on the rap sheet of injury issues for Wilson over his six years at N.C. State.

Still, Wilson stayed healthy over his final two college seasons. He stayed productive, and his accumulated surgeries did not affect his athleticism, at least as reflected by his work at the NFL Combine. Wilson ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.43 seconds that, by far, paced all linebackers.

“I let the doctors handle all the medical stuff,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “My job is to grade the tape as a football player and what I think and how he helps our defense. He brings some speed to our defense. He brings some physicality to our defense and ability to cover guys.

“It’s a tough game, and the way he likes football, he is a good leader on his team. All those things are attractive, and I think he can bring that to us.”