The Steelers finally have named a starting quarterback. Despite reports all through training camp saying Justin Fields could be the guy right away, Russell Wilson remains the veteran starter the Steelers will rely on.
The Steelers 0-3 preseason was tough to watch as a fan. The good news is the preseason doesn’t matter very much. The 2008 Lions and the 2017 Browns each went 4-0 in the preseason then went on to go 0-16 in the regular season.
Even last year’s Steelers are a great example. Last year at this time Kenny Pickett was the unofficial NFL preseason MVP and the Steelers went 3-0. Many national pundits thought that the Steelers may turn a corner on offense and Pickett would assert himself as the long-term franchise quarterback.
Of course, the Steelers got destroyed in their first game of the season against the 49ers. Then they relied on turnovers to keep them afloat early as Pickett and the offense sputtered, and offensive coordinator Matt Canada became a nationwide sports meme.
“It was a difficult decision, but not difficult in a negative way to be quite honest with you,” head coach Mike Tomlin said in a press conference Wednesday. “It was difficult in a positive way. The decision was difficult because of what they’re capable of doing and how they’ve conducted themselves.”
Russell Wilson went 10-12 for 73 yards in 25 snaps in the preseason. Fields played 56 snaps and was 19-27 with 199 yards. Right now, Wilson is the safer option for the Steelers. With a brutal stretch in the second half of the season where they play six 2023 playoff teams in eight games, the Steelers need to get hot early, and stack wins against their first nine opponents where only one team they will face was a 2023 playoff team.
If the Steelers started Fields, it could have been costly.
The Steelers want to build their offense around running the ball, they don’t want their quarterback to be the focus of the offense. Fields’ NFL future is uncertain, he may try and do too much to prove himself and that could cost the Steelers in crucial early season games.
Wilson has the experience, and his NFL legacy is already a positive one.
He has made plenty of money, and at this point of his career he doesn’t have to prove himself. Wilson should be comfortable with making the necessary plays that will help get a Steelers victory, even if his stats aren’t glamorous while doing so.
Ideally, Fields wouldn’t be on the field this season unless he is used in a special package on offense. It is important for him to observe and learn from a player like Russell Wilson.
Fields was drafted into a tough situation in Chicago where no quarterback has done anything in a long time. Being with a stable franchise where he is under a veteran head coach like Mike Tomlin is a change, and it may be good for him to just soak in the new culture so that if he does become the starter, he can hit the ground running with more maturity.
The Steelers quarterback situation is much more interesting and fun than it has been in years past. Let’s hope Russell Wilson can be the positive change the Steelers are hoping he can be.
