Pittsburgh Steelers Appoint New Team Captain
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially appointed linebacker Payton Wilson as their new special teams captain. This announcement comes after Miles Killebrew was sidelined for the season due to a knee injury sustained in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns.
Pittsburgh Steelers Leadership Changes
On October 12, 2025, during the coin toss before the Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers, Wilson joined the team’s existing captains, which include Cameron Heyward, Aaron Rodgers, and T.J. Watt. While Wilson did not serve in this capacity during Week 7’s match against the Cincinnati Bengals, he is expected to fulfill the role moving forward.
Endorsement and Responsibilities
Killebrew endorsed Wilson for the captain role in his absence, emphasizing his qualities as a leader. Wilson expressed his gratitude, stating, “Really honored about that. Thanks to Coach Tomlin. Thanks to Miles for recommending me. He’s been a great role model.”
He elaborated on his approach to the new responsibilities. “I would just say being a leader out there on special teams,” Wilson noted. He acknowledged Killebrew’s contributions, highlighting his experience in leading meetings and communicating effectively with the team.
Wilson’s Performance and Role
Aside from stepping up as the special teams captain, Wilson is a key player on the Steelers’ defense. He plays as an inside linebacker alongside Patrick Queen. This season, Wilson has started in four games and participated in 69% of the defensive snaps, a significant increase from 45% in his rookie year.
- Age: 25 years old
- Defensive snaps participation: 69% in 2025
- Special teams snaps participation: 66%
In 2025, Wilson’s contributions to the special teams unit have been noteworthy. He remains engaged in various roles, particularly in field goal and extra-point blocking, where he has been involved in 33 snaps, and as part of the kick return team with 32 snaps.
As the season progresses, the Steelers look to Wilson’s leadership to bolster their special teams and enhance overall team performance. Fans are encouraged to stay updated with news and insights on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Emegypt.
