The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for being a tough franchise. The AFC North, in general, is known for having games that get a little testy between the two teams. This attitude sometimes spills over into practice. On Wednesday during training camp, a fight broke out on the field after a huge hit on quarterback Justin Fields.
Pittsburgh Steelers Fight At Training Camp
Football is a sport that often brings out big emotions in players. Offensive units are often protective of their quarterback, even against their own team. During Wednesday’s practice, quarterback Justin Fields took off on a read-option play and was hit by linebacker Elandon Roberts. The hit caused the former Bears quarterback to flip to the ground, and his fellow offensive players were not very happy. Rookie guard Mason McCormick immediately got in the face of Roberts, and a fight soon broke out. Center Nate Herbig defended his quarterback after practice.
“Nobody’s gonna hit our quarterback, cheap shot, and get away with it. It’s a big emphasis for us, a big emphasis for our unit. It’s nothing personal, we just protect our quarterback.”
The tempers had cooled after practice, and everything seemed to be better. While it seemed unwarranted, Roberts is a veteran linebacker. He could have sensed the team needed a little spark and decided to show the young quarterback what being on the Pittsburgh Steelers means. It was also positive that the offensive line was quick to defend their quarterback. Nothing screams “problem” like an offensive line that is indifferent to their quarterback getting smoked.
2024 Outlook
It is hard to pinpoint what the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers will look like. Under Kenny Pickett, the offense was frustrating until the fourth quarter, when late comeback heroics were possible, thanks to the defense keeping it close. This year, there is still uncertainty about who will be under center in week 1. While head coach Mike Tomlin has said Russell Wilson has the inside track, he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Fields taking his spot. With Wilson nursing a calf injury, Fields has gotten more of the first-team reps.
As always, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to face a brutal schedule, especially in the back half of the year. They play most of their divisional games in the last third of the season. However, the team has shown year after year to put a winning team on the field. Tomlin’s record of over .500 seasons is well-documented. This year will be a brand new test in a tough conference.
Residual Effects From The Scuffle
Will we see any lingering effects from the training camp scuffle? The Pittsburgh Steelers coaches hope this could be what focuses the team as the first preseason game approaches. This is one of the most fascinating teams to watch in training camp due to the uncertainty at quarterback. The fan base seems split as some want Wilson’s steady hand while others want the potential of Fields. As training camp progresses, we will likely see a better picture of what the coaching staff is thinking.
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