HH. Payton Wilson Sets NFL History with Jaw-Dropping Speed, Proving Steelers’ Defense Can’t Be Stopped
Pittsburgh, PA — October 10, 2025 — It’s one thing for a linebacker to make a game-saving tackle. It’s another when that same linebacker sets an NFL record for speed. That’s exactly what
Payton Wilson, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ breakout linebacker, did during the team’s Week 4 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, creating a new standard for speed that has stunned both fans and analysts alike.
With 22.48 mph clocked on Next Gen Stats, Wilson’s speed on a critical play late in the game shattered the previous record for the fastest speed ever recorded by a linebacker. The jaw-dropping moment came during a blown coverage by safety
Chuck Clark, where Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison appeared to be on his way to a sure touchdown. Addison sprinted down the field, but Wilson — who had been trailing — turned on the jets and gave chase, catching Addison 81 yards later at the one-yard line.
The tackle prevented a potential game-winning touchdown for the Vikings and forced them to burn valuable time with four more plays, allowing the Steelers to maintain control. While the tackle was a huge play in terms of the game’s outcome, it was Wilson’s speed that stole the spotlight — as it broke a 9-year record previously held by other NFL speedsters.
A Speed That Defies Expectations
Wilson’s impressive speed isn’t just a feat for a linebacker — it places him among the NFL’s elite players, regardless of position. His 22.48 mph clocking is one of the fastest speeds ever recorded, placing him among the top 10 fastest players in NFL history. The NFL’s all-time speed leader is
Tyreek Hill, who reached 23.24 mph in 2016, but Wilson’s performance places him squarely in the company of the league’s most legendary sprinters.
What’s more impressive is that Wilson isn’t a cornerback or a wide receiver — he’s a 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker. Speed like that, especially from a player of his size, is a rarity. But Wilson’s determination to make the play, his relentless pursuit, and his ability to maintain top speed for such a long distance highlight the unique skill set that has now elevated him into the conversation of the league’s most electrifying players.
A Historic Moment for the Steelers’ Defense
For the Steelers, Wilson’s record-setting performance isn’t just a moment of individual glory — it’s a testament to the strength of their defense.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has always prioritized hard-hitting, relentless defensive play, and Wilson’s display of speed only emphasizes the aggressive, fast-paced style of play that has defined Pittsburgh’s defense for decades.
But it’s not just about physical talent. Wilson’s awareness and discipline on the field were equally impressive. Despite his extraordinary speed, he didn’t rush blindly — he kept his focus on Addison and tracked him every step of the way, making the critical tackle when it mattered most. This combination of physical gifts and mental discipline is what makes Wilson one of the most promising young linebackers in the NFL today.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Payton Wilson
With the Steelers off to a solid start in the 2025 season, Payton Wilson’s incredible performance in Week 4 has the potential to be a defining moment for both his career and the team’s defense. His ability to be a difference-maker in high-pressure situations has made him one of the most exciting players to watch.
While it’s early in the season, Wilson’s speed and playmaking ability are likely to continue to propel him to the forefront of NFL conversations. With 3 sacks, 10 pressures
, and a growing reputation as one of the fastest players in the league, Wilson has firmly established himself as a future leader of Pittsburgh’s defense.
If this Week 4 performance is any indication, Payton Wilson isn’t just a rising star — he’s on his way to becoming one of the most feared linebackers in the NFL.
Patrick Graham Puts Raiders Defense on Notice With Fiery Message: ‘I’m so Tired’
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
The Las Vegas Raiders‘ coaching staff has been a revolving door at most positions, but one person who has stuck around is defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. He’s survived three different regimes, and this is just his fourth season with the team.
There have been times when Graham has had the Raiders’ defense playing a very high level, but things are off to a tough start this season. The Raiders currently have a -6 turnover differential, which is the second-worst in the NFL.
It doesn’t help that quarterback Geno Smith leads the NFL with nine interceptions, but the Las Vegas defense only has four takeaways on the season. Graham appears to be getting frustrated with the continued struggles on defense for the Raiders.
He had a stern message for his defense ahead of the Week 6 game against the Tennessee Titans.
“I’m so tired — I’m trying to be mindful of my language — of talking about whatever it is we got to do,” Graham said during a Thursday press conference. “You just have to make it happen. You got to take the ball away. However it happens, that’s what we got to do.”
Graham Talks Replacing Germaine Pratt
Before the Raiders’ Week 5 game against the Colts, it was revealed that linebacker Germaine Pratt wasn’t traveling with the team. It didn’t take long for the team to announce that he was being released.
It’s still not clear exactly what happened, but it couldn’t have been performance-related, as Pratt was playing well for the team. For his part, Graham didn’t sound thrilled that he would no longer have Pratt to use and spoke about how the defense could go about replacing him.
“I’m looking forward to the defense stepping up, just in general,” Graham said. “Just the linebacker position, you know, it’s going to take all 11 out there. We’ll see who’s out there playing and things of that nature, but it’s going to take a, you know, good effort to replace a good player like that.”
Brian Callahan Talks Raiders Reunion
The Raiders host the Titans and head coach Brian Callahan in Week 6. Notably, Callahan was the team’s quarterback coach in 2018 and is the son of Bill Callahan, who is the last Raiders head coach to win a playoff game.
Callahan has fond memories of the Raiders and is looking forward to coaching against his former team.
“We’ve got a lot of Raiders on our staff,” Callahan said, via Raiders.com. “A lot of guys that have spent a lot of time there. I was in high school when my dad was there. They had a lot of success over those years and those were my first – I was a fan. I was a fan of the team. I was always excited to go. It was great environments to go play in when they were at the Coliseum in Oakland. Then I got a chance to go coach there for a year. I have fond memories in that silver and black and those gamedays and some of the wins over the years when I was following along as a high school kid and spending time there.”
