The Pittsburgh Steelers put on the pads on Tuesday, which is not only an exciting landmark day for the fans counting down the days until games are on TV, but exciting for the players, as well.

One player who is particularly excited is second-year linebacker Payton Wilson, who says he is ready to hit people.

“I’m ready to play some daggum ball,” Wilson said. “Hit Jaylen Warren a little bit, fly around, hit some O-linemen. This is what you look forward to.”

Payton Wilson is pumped about the pads coming on today:

“I’m ready to play some daggum ball, hit Jaylen Warren a little bit, fly around, hit some O-linemen. This is what you look forward to.”

Why Warren specifically?

“Because he’ll be out there first.”

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 29, 2025

Wilson will have a larger role in Year Two, in large part due to the departure of Elandon Roberts, who was the team’s go-to run-stopper at linebacker. With Roberts gone, Wilson will be the unquestioned full-time No. 2 off-ball linebacker alongside Patrick Queen. Cole Holcomb will also rotate in, and those three guys will make up the vast majority of snaps from that position.

The Steelers will have their first preseason game on August 9th against the Jacksonville Jaguars.