The Pittsburgh Steelers and Russell Wilson rolled into Ford Field on Saturday, desperately needing their offense to improve. The first two preseason games were disasters for the Steelers’ first-team offense.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith did not want to tip his hand completely on Saturday. He did need to open the playbook a little for the beleaguered unit to gain confidence and placate a nervous fan base.
Steelers Starter Fell Behind Immediately
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Perhaps no single player needed to impress fans more than Wilson on Saturday. According to Mike Tomlin, Wilson entered training camp in pole position for the starting position. He held that position through the physical fitness test on day one of training camp. He injured his calf pushing a blocking sled. That is not a misprint; the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff decided to have their 36-year-old starting quarterback hit a blocking sled.
It opened the door for Justin Fields, the former Chicago Bears’ franchise quarterback for the last three seasons. Fields has tantalizing physical attributes paired with poor ball security. He is equally scintillating and frustrating on the gridiron. The former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback is only 25 years old, and if he can solve his ball security issue, he could still have a long and productive career.
Steelers Quarterback Room Gained National Scrutiny
The unfortunate side effect of Wilson’s injury is that it has touched a full-blown quarterback controversy in the national media. A legion of commentators on ESPN, Fox Sports, and just about anyone else who espouses opinions have buried the former Super Bowl champion quarterback. Most agree that the upside of the 25-year-old Fields versus the remnants of Wilson’s career is a clear-cut sign that Tomlin should cut bait and play Fields.
It is an interesting dynamic because local reporters like Mark Kaboly, Brian Batko, and Ray Fittipaldo are keenly aware of what the national media is ignoring. Tomlin has a distinct coaching style and hates turnovers. Wilson might have taken 100 sacks over the last two seasons, but a punt is not a bad result for the Steelers Head Coach. Tomlin prefers defensive struggles with a one-score differential. In 2023, 11 of the 17 Steelers games were decided by one score, and the team went 9-2 in those contests. Since 2021, Pittsburgh is 24-8-1 in one-score games. The Steelers are 4-13 in games decided by more than two scores or more during that period.
Steelers Head Coach Never Strayed From Wilson
Tomlin promised Wilson the job, and while Fields might be more dynamic, he has not significantly outplayed his veteran counterpart in the eyes of the only opinion that matters. During the final preseason tilt against the Lions on Saturday, Wilson completed a screen pass and 32-yard chunk play to George Pickens, but he was removed after one drive. Smith did a good job balancing the need for production without revealing what the offense would look like under the anointed Steelers starter.
Wilson produced a touchdown on his only opportunity, which ended with a 31-yard rushing touchdown by Cordarelle Patterson. Fields matched him with his first drive, including a beautiful pass to Mycole Pruitt to put the Steelers inside the five-yard line. That drive also ended with a rushing touchdown by La’Mical Perrine. The subsequent possessions for Fields did not go well, including a miscommunication with a shotgun snap to end his second drive and a sack to end his third.
Final Thought
There is no debating that Fields has the brighter NFL future of the two, but that future, barring injury, will not start at kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons on opening day. The Steelers are going with Wilson to begin the season. It might surprise Stephen A Smith and Mike Florio, but Tomlin never wavered. Wilson will be under center for the first regular-season offensive series. How long he stays there is an entirely different question.
What do you think, Total Apex Sports fans? Are Tomlin and the Steelers making a mistake, or do you support the move? Please comment below or on my X: @thebubbasq.
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