Analyzing the Steelers QB Drama: Who will start on Sunday Night?

By Levi Coovert October 19, 2024 12:19

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have put together a strong start to the season, going 4-2 despite losing veteran QB Russell Wilson to a calf injury in the preseason. In his place, Justin Fields has filled in admirably, completing 66% of his throws, scoring ten total touchdowns and putting up a 93.9 passer rating. But with Wilson now healthy, the Steelers have a dilemma....

Fields or Wilson?

In the preseason, head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that 'DangeRuss' was the starter. The veteran has twelve years of NFL experience, a Super Bowl title and a Hall-of-Fame resume to his name.

However, with Fields playing as well as he has been, there has been a feeling among fans and analysts that he might deserve to keep the job. Wilson played poorly with the Broncos in 2022, and was benched in 2023 after his third straight losing season. Maybe his time as an NFL starter is up?

Tomlin's refusal to commit

For weeks, the media has been asking Mike Tomlin to formally commit to Fields as the team's starter, but the Steelers long-time coach has refused. Wilson remained atop the teams depth chart while he was hurt, and suited up for games as the emergency third-string QB.

Tomlin has still refused to commit to either Fields or Wilson as the starter when the Steelers host the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football in Week Seven, but said Wilson was "in consideration" to be make the start.

First team reps

One sign that points to Wilson being the starter on Sunday is the practice footage, which show him taking the majority of the first team reps on Wednesday and Thursday's practices. Previously, Fields had been taking first team reps, while Wilson worked in with the second team as he recovered from injury. But now that Wilson is fully healthy, he is back with the first team offense, which he led throughout training camp.

Fields admits the truth

Justin Fields was asked about the potential of Wilson starting, and admitted he thought he hadn't earned the job.

"I don't think I played good enough, if I'm being real with you," Fields said Thursday, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "If I'm being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don't think there would be any sort of who should be playing, who should not."

Could it be strategic?

Some analysts who felt strongly Fields should continue starting have wondered if Tomlin's wishy-washy behavior is all part of his strategy, in an attempt to throw the Jets off in their preparations for the game. If the Jets don't know who is starting, they would be forced to prepare for both QB's. Perhaps Tomlin's plan is to start Fields, but wants the Jets to think it will be Wilson for strategic purposes.

Pickens let's it slip

George Pickens, however, seemed to let it slip when asked about Russell Wilson. He said Wilson would be making his first start on Sunday, which seemed to all but guarantee that Fields is headed to the bench.

Could both QB's play?

It might be a bit unorthodox, but what if both QB's played on Sunday. No healthy quarterback has ever started the season 4-2 and not started their seventh game, and Fields has at least earned the chance to keep playing. But Wilson is a legendary QB with Hall of Fame potential. So why not let them both play.

The Steelers could use Fields for short passes, play-action, and run plays. Use Wilson for longer passing plays, where he can utilize his impressive deep ball. In the red zone, bring in both QB's, using Fields similar to the way the Saints have utilized Taysom Hill, to throw the defense off with trick plays.

Could it work? Perhaps...they won't know unless they try.