The Steelers have made many changes this year on and off the roster, but some players could be their X factors. Players whose productivity is less obvious, either positively or negatively. With a high ceiling and a low floor, the idea is players whose performance will help shape the direction in which the season goes.
Appearing on the #1 Cochran Sports Showdown last night, Ray Fittipaldo and Chris Adamski chose their Steelers X factors. In one case, we have a new face, and in fact a rookie. On the other hand is a young but third-year veteran who is at a critical time in his career. Both choices are, I think, astute ones, and shape both sides of the ball.
“I’m gonna go with Germie Bernard”, Fittipaldo chose as his Steelers X factor. “Very productive player, both at Washington and Alabama. Played some big-time college football. And there’s an opening. There’s an opportunity for him to step in. Roman Wilson didn’t seize that in his first two seasons with the Steelers. The door is open for Germie Bernard to come in and have a big role as a rookie”.
A rookie second-round pick, Bernard has the potential to help reshape Pittsburgh’s wide receiver group in a hurry. Last year, it often felt as though they had just one legitimate threat. If the Steelers can present an offense that includes three wide receivers defenses need to worry about, that so greatly changes the dynamic that he feels like an easy choice as an X factor. But there is just as much uncertainty, I would argue, on defense, and not just from new faces.
“I think Payton Wilson, he could either step up and emerge and be a really good inside linebacker, or he could continue to be sort of a—I don’t want to say disappointment, but what is kind of the weakness of the Steelers’ defense, that off-ball linebacker”, Adamski argued for his X factor selection. “It could go either way, and if he excels and takes his next step this year, the defense could be that much better”.
A 2024 third-round pick, Payton Wilson has proven his talent and his ability to make plays. What he has yet to show is that he can play consistently and in every situation. Making him an even more critical choice as the Steelers’ X factor is how this season can shape years to come. Pittsburgh’s inside linebacker situation is fluid right now and many believe Patrick Queen will not return in 2027.
In other words, Payton Wilson is theoretically auditioning for the opportunity to take over the defense as the green dot. But in order to do that, he needs to prove, this year, that he is up to the task. Based on what he’s done—and not done—in his first two seasons that’s not something you can just hand him and expect to be happy with the results. But he has the type of talent that makes you want to be absolutely sure before you turn to another option.
It’s for that reason that I believe he makes a great choice as one of the Steelers’ X factors this year.