The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback room has undergone significant changes since the 2023 season. None of the quarterbacks who played in 2023 are still on the roster. This offseason, the Steelers signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal and traded with the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields.
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Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields talk during OTAs.
The two new Steelers quarterbacks have been dominating headlines. There has been debate among pundits about who is the better quarterback and who should start for the Steelers in 2024. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stated that Wilson is in the pole position to start, with Fields having a chance to compete for the job.
It seems likely that Wilson will be the starting quarterback unless he significantly struggles during the 2024 season. Steelers insider Brian Batko shared his observations from Organized Team Activities and minicamp. While he doesn't put a lot of stock into his assessment, he has noticed some significant flaws in Fields' passing game during his early stages in Pittsburgh.
“We've also heard positives on Fields out of Chicago, so I'm not too concerned about some of the negatives. As I said earlier, I'm not putting too much stock into OTAs and minicamp work, but I do see a guy who needs to get more comfortable reading NFL defenses and improve as a passer.”
Batko was responding to a fan's question about the negatives coming out about Fields from Chicago. Batko believes that he has also heard plenty of positives, so he is not worried about the negatives as much. From what Batko has seen, Fields has struggled with reading NFL defenses and still needs to improve as a passer.
Fields joined the Bears as a first-round pick with high hopes of being the future of the franchise. He has struggled in his first three seasons in the NFL. The Bears had high expectations for Fields, but when they had the opportunity to draft Caleb Williams with their first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they decided it was time to move on from Fields.
In his three seasons with the Bears, Fields only managed to win 10 games, while losing 28. However, many of their losses cannot be solely attributed to Fields. He played in a system with frequent coaching changes and a struggling organization.
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Quarterback Justin Fields throwing before a Chicago Bears game.
As a runner, Fields excelled on the ground and is considered one of the best running quarterbacks in the NFL. Although he has shown potential as a passer, he has also faced struggles, throwing 40 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions.
Steelers Are Investing Small In Justin Fields
It's evident that Fields has tremendous potential, which he has yet to fully realize, leading the Steelers to acquire him at a favorable price. In the current NFL landscape, Fields is seen as a backup with significant potential.
Upon trading for Fields, the Steelers communicated their intention for him to learn from Wilson, indicating that Wilson is considered the quarterback to help the team win in the present, while Fields is recognized as having the potential to become the future of the franchise. The Steelers are investing small in Fields.
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Former Bears QB Justin Fields takes off with the football during a home game in Chicago.
As the 2024 season concludes, the Steelers will be faced with challenging decisions regarding the quarterback position. The outcomes of the 2024 season will aid them in mapping out their future plans for the position. Steelers fans are eagerly anticipating the performances of their new quarterbacks in the upcoming season.
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