The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2024 season with a possible quarterback battle. The two new veterans, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are vying for the starting spot and need to perform well enough to save their careers. The Steelers need to have a reliable player under center, one who can at least manage a game efficiently and consistently for the first time since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin has said that Wilson will have "pole position" to start, based on his prior success. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler, is entering his 13th season in the league. He helped the Seattle Seahawks get to two Super Bowls, winning one, so he knows what it takes to be successful in the NFL.
The fact that Wilson has had so much success hasn't stopped or even slowed the comments about giving Fields a shot. Fields, a first-round selection in 2021 by the Chicago Bears, came into the pros riding a wave of confidence. His incredible speed and athletic ability created excitement. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. He dealt with a dysfunctional organization and a revolving door of offensive coordinators.
It appears the plan is for Fields to spend time learning behind Wilson for now. But is that what is best for the Steelers? Recently, on an episode of ESPN's Get Up, Mike Greenberg asked Robert Griffin III which of the two quarterbacks gives the Steelers the best shot at making the playoffs. Griffin didn't hesitate.
"It's Russell Wilson 100%," said Griffin. "He had a top-five touchdown-interception ratio last year. He's been there and done that. This team is ready to win right now, and it's the perfect time for Justin Fields to sit back and learn from Russell Wilson."
Ever since the Steelers traded for Fields, there have been rumors of how the team will use him. This even included him being part of the kick return team because of his incredible speed. Since Fields presents such a dual threat, it has also been suggested that Pittsburgh work out some trick plays or "Taysom Hill" type schemes where they bring Fields in for specific plays drawn up for him.
The Steelers aren't unfamiliar with trick plays. When Kordell Stewart, nicknamed "Slash," was the quarterback, they frequently used him in packages designed to take advantage of his legs. In addition, former wide receivers Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El, both once quarterbacks, were often used in trick plays. That included Randle El throwing a touchdown pass to Ward in Super Bowl XL.
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Steelers' Antwaan Randle El throws a touchdown pass to Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL.
Griffin believes this is how the Steelers should use Fields for the 2024 season. He doesn't need the weight of the entire game on his shoulders while he is learning, but he should come on the field. New Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith needs to devise schemes that capitalize upon Fields' mobility.
"They need to bring the slash package back, put him out there in the red zone, let him play receiver, let him play a little running back and quarterback and really disperse the field for this offense."
Griffin is not the first analyst to suggest that Fields be used for trick packages, but some think it would be a bad idea, disrupting the offense's flow and hurting Fields' growth. It has also been suggested that it would be counterproductive to Wilson's leadership of the offense.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback Justin Fields celebrates.
There is a lot at stake for all involved. Both quarterbacks are on one-year contracts, so the team's future is also in question. If Wilson performs very well, he is going to want to be paid in 2025, but then that leaves the question about Fields.
Is Steelers' Justin Fields Unhappy?
While players were available to the media during Organized Team Activities and minicamp, there were comments that Fields seemed down or unhappy. That fueled rumors that perhaps he didn't want to be in Pittsburgh.
However, Christopher Carter had a different spin on it. From his perspective, he felt Fields was so laser-focused on what he was doing with the team that he wasn't wasting time on frivolities. Fields is also being compared to Wilson, who's been doing this much longer than he is. Wilson is on the back end of his career, not the front like Fields, and that might be increasing the pressure for the younger quarterback.
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Steelers' Justin Fields watches Russell Wilson throw the ball.
Which quarterback has the best shot of getting the team to the playoffs? What do you think about Fields in trick plays? Click to comment below.
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