The Pittsburgh Steelers made some controversial moves in their quarterback room this offseason, which included trading for Justin Fields, and signing Russell Wilson in free agency. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has repeatedly said that Wilson will have the "pole position" at the start of the season to be QB1. Wilson has not only been in the league much longer than Fields, but he's also performed at a very high level, making it to two Super Bowls and winning one.
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Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson (left) and Justin Fields (right) meet on the field following a 2023 matchup with their prior, respective teams.
However, this has created questions about how Fields and Wilson will compete. Many believe Fields wasn't given a real chance with the Chicago Bears, and he will now have the opportunity to learn behind a potential future Hall of Famer. Tomlin, displaying his unwavering confidence in the team's decision-making, feels they are in an excellent position, regardless of who starts. He knows Fields is young and hungry, with a lot to prove, which should further reassure the fans about the team's potential.
No one was surprised when news broke that Fields was working out with new teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers veterans have been working on making connections with both new quarterbacks. Despite the Bears franchise giving Fields the boot, his former teammates thought very highly of him, as evident from all of the social media messages he received after his departure from the Windy City.
Now, one of his former teammates, Montez Sweat, a defensive end who joined the Bears in 2023, spoke to Chris Long about Fields. On Green Light with Chris Long, the former Super Bowl winner asked Sweat how he thinks Fields will fare in Pittsburgh. Long said that he admired how Fields kept his head up and always acted professionally, despite being dealt a bum hand.
"I was only there for a couple of months, so I was only able to see what I was able to see," shared Sweat. "He's a blue-collar guy, like he comes in the locker room, head up, first guy on the field, last guy to leave, type stuff. He was always working out in the locker room. It seemed like he was doing everything right. He had the respect of the guys. It's just sometimes that the league does league things. It's out of my pay grade."
This is good news for Steelers fans. Pittsburgh tends to embrace those "blue-collar" guys. We like our players to have that old-school nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic. The Steelers are also desperately in need of leadership on the offense. If Fields can become that guy in the locker room, it will only help solidify his place on the team.
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Steelers' new QB Russell Wilson with popstar wife, Ciara.
It will be an interesting contrast to what is being said about Wilson as well. Wilson left a bad taste in Seattle Seahawks fans' mouths. There has been talk that once he married pop icon Ciara, Wilson changed from being that team-first guy, to someone who sees themselves as "Hollywood royalty."
This is also new territory for Pittsburgh, which avoided much turnover at the quarterback position. When Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021, he had been with the team for 18 seasons. That means a whole generation of fans really only remember him. While the organization underwent some quarterback drama the past two seasons with the drafting of Kenny Pickett, it's nothing close to what Bears fans have been through. Fans can take a cue from the players, who have been quite vocal in supporting Wilson and Fields; they need to keep an open mind now.
Steelers Embracing Change For 2024
The Steelers are not normally a team that invites this much change during an offseason. After all, this franchise has only had three head coaches in more than 50 years. But after losing in the Wild Card round again, it was clear that some shakeup needed to happen.
Fans breathed a sigh of relief when the team fired former Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, following the embarrassing Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns. When Arthur Smith was hired to replace him, there were mixed emotions about how he would fit. Now, it appears that much of the offseason moves are to align the offense with Smith's philosophy.
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Steelers' new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, with the Tennessee Titans.
Much of the team's success in 2024 will hinge on how well Smith's plan works. Many analysts feel Smith is the perfect coordinator to help spark something with Wilson or Fields.
What do you think about Fields and his potential leadership on the team? Click to comment below.
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