Steelers' Unconventional Usage Of Justin Fields Damaging For Both QBs: "That's Not The Type Of Player He Is"

The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the NFL when they completely restructured the quarterback room and acquired veterans Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The current make-up is the ultimate "two dogs, one bone," situation, as Head Coach Mike Tomlin is famed for saying.

Tomlin has said that Wilson is in "pole position" when it comes to being the team's starter. This has created endless media fodder regarding Fields' fate. How will he prove himself if he isn't allowed to play?  

One idea that has been floated is using Fields, like Taysom Hill, in special packages designed to take advantage of agility and speed. Even Wilson spoke up and said he would be all for that idea. Is that really in the best interest of the two quarterbacks? Former Steelers rival and ex-Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, who co-hosts his podcast Nightcap with former tight end Shannon Sharpe, recently said he is not a fan of that idea.

"I don't. I don't. H*ll no! I don't like the gimmicky using him in a Taysom Hill role. I don't like taking out Russell Wilson and getting him off track, off rhythm," said an emphatic Johnson.

Fields spent three years with the Chicago Bears after being selected 11th overall. It would make sense that Pittsburgh, the unintentional creator of gimmicky quarterback play with Kordell "Slash" Stewart under center, would dip a toe back in that pool. 

Many believe Fields is too big a weapon to sideline just because Wilson is the starter. While neither Fields nor Chicago may have found the success they wanted, it doesn't mean Fields didn't make an impression. There were numerous instances of him using his blistering speed to burn defenses; similarly to when he blew out the whole Detroit Lions defense to pick up a 67-yard touchdown. None of that changes Johnson's mind, who sees it as a negative for both quarterbacks. 

"When running an offense, having to come on/off the field in the middle of a series. To put Justin Fields out there to do one thing: run the ball, and using him in gadget-type way, when that's not the type of player he is. I understand he is a dual-threat quarterback. He has certain things that he does very well. Obviously, he can throw the ball. Obviously, he can run the ball as well, but allow Russell Wilson to take control of the helm and do what needs to be done on that team."

Both of these quarterbacks seem to be seeking redemption. Despite Wilson's success with the Seattle Seahawks, the past two years with the Denver Broncos have almost entirely washed over that. Instead of being viewed as a leader who led his team to two Super Bowls, he is seen as the man Sean Payton essentially paid to go away. 

Unfortunately for Fields, he had the misfortune of getting drafted into one of the most dysfunctional organizations in the league. The Bears have struggled for years to put together a cohesive team.

Steelers' Justin Fields Believes Everyone Will Pitch In 

Jaylen Warren started a frenzy when he commented on Cameron Heyward's podcast that special teams coordinator Danny Smith plans to take advantage of Fields' speed by having him return kicks. Fields recently told the media that the whole story got blown out of proportion, and he is there to be a quarterback. Fields said that the comment was meant more to highlight that everyone on the team will have to do whatever he needs to for the team to win. The comment was more tongue-in-cheek than a serious consideration. 

What do you think about how the team should use Fields? Do you think the positives outweigh the negatives? Does it potentially hurt Wilson? Click to comment below. 

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