Mark Madden: Steelers, Mike Tomlin changed the game by letting Russ cook

It’s been so long since the Pittsburgh Steelers had a real quarterback, we forgot what one looked like.

It’s been so long since the Steelers had a real offense, we forgot what that looked like.

Justin Fields did OK deputizing. He went 4-2. He’s no Mike Kruczek, but you couldn’t ask for more.

But Fields is a novelty act. A quarterback that’s more legs than arm. The discount Lamar Jackson. He’s not going to win enough, as witnessed by his 14-30 lifetime record.

The game changed Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium.

Not right away. But shame on the dopes who booed during the first quarter. Pittsburgh’s own Michael Keaton did that terrific pregame hype video about unity, and you defecated all over it. You embarrassed the only Batman who counts.

But let bygones be bygones. Because when Russ started to cook, nothing else mattered.

Russell Wilson’s debut for the Steelers was absolutely magnificent.

Wilson didn’t just do better than Fields was doing. Wilson outplayed Aaron Rodgers.

Maybe that washed-up old grifter can bring Beanie Bishop on Pat McAfee’s show this week. I bet Davante Adams asks for another trade. The Steelers still could get him!

The Steelers had 409 yards of total offense.

The Steelers scored 31 unanswered points.

The Steelers converted four of six trips to the red zone.

George Pickens is born again: five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. (That might be the biggest development: Pickens is the Steelers’ top weapon, and he was being wasted. Now he’s a star. Wilson made Pickens, and Pickens made Wilson.)

Even Van Halen caught a touchdown. Somebody get me a doctor!

Najee Harris had 102 yards rushing.

The Steelers actually played a game that wasn’t death dipped in NyQuil. You could stay awake. They didn’t tiptoe around offensively. The Steelers went for the throat. (I loved the extra touchdown with 26 seconds left. They should have gone for 2.)

As for the man himself, Wilson was 16 of 29 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. No picks. Wilson threw deep. He threw with confidence.

The Fields groupies said Wilson was immobile and would get killed behind the Steelers’ depleted offensive line. But Wilson only got sacked once and even scored a rushing touchdown. Take that, blocking sled!

All of the above happened because Wilson knows how to play quarterback. It’s his profession.

What does this mean for the Steelers moving forward?

I’m not sure.

Wilson figures to get the most out of this offense more often than not. But it’s still a deeply flawed roster marred by injuries.

But the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in seven seasons. All you can ask for is better possibilities. Wilson offers that.

Mike Tomlin hasn’t made many good decisions in recent years.

But inserting Wilson was one of them.

The Steelers didn’t get Wilson to compete for the quarterback job. Didn’t get him so he could share snaps with a bust from Chicago who plays like a chicken with his head cut off.

Wilson is a Super Bowl champion and likely Hall of Famer. He’s a special breed.

The Steelers got Wilson to be QB1.

The Steelers got Russ to let him cook.

For one night, anyway, it worked. That makes what happens next all the more exciting.

Somebody give me a shot!