Pittsburgh opened the 2025 season with a win over New York, but Payton Wilson’s showing was a blunt reminder that internal linebackers often swing wins or losses in small margins. Wilson posted a 33.2 overall PFF grade (90th among 100 qualified linebackers), especially struggling in pass coverage. The aura around Wilson’s future is tempered by the splashy critique from a former Steeler, while the team leans on Malik Harrison and Cole Holcomb behind him and Patrick Queen up the middle. Week 2 at Seattle could be the moment for a corrective turn, with Seattle’s early offense looking less explosive than the Jets’ Week 1 showing.