Ex-Steelers Safety Ryan Clark Issues Warning That Pittsburgh’s 2024 QB Situation Is Far Worse Than 2023 With Kenny Pickett

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has been cloudy since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has managed to keep Pittsburgh competitive, never recording a losing season in his 17 years at the helm. However, the team hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, a drought that looms large.

In 2023, the Steelers' three quarterbacks combined for a mere 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions, a disappointing output that underscored the offense's struggles. This lack of productivity prompted the Steelers to explore new options in the offseason. When Russell Wilson became available, Pittsburgh quickly signed him to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. The move didn’t sit well with former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, who promptly requested a trade. The Steelers then swung a trade for Justin Fields, adding further intrigue to their quarterback room.

Following the Steelers' 9-3 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, critics have been harsh on Pittsburgh's new quarterback duo. Wilson and Fields played the entire game, yet managed only three points. Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark, appearing on Get Up Tuesday, suggested that Pittsburgh may now be in a worse situation than they were with Pickett.

"Yeah, it's scary, right? You think about last season, at least going into the year, they felt like they had Kenny Pickett and knew exactly who their starter would be. Now with getting Russ, and acquiring Justin Fields later, it seems that there are more questions than answers for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the quarterback position."

Clark isn’t necessarily arguing that Pickett is a better option than Fields or Wilson. His point is that, at least going into the 2023 season, Pittsburgh knew who their starting quarterback would be.

Now, with Wilson and Fields in the mix, the team is faced with a quarterback battle. While Wilson remains the heavy favorite to start, one rough preseason outing won’t change that. However, Clark still sees the Steelers in a difficult position. When Pittsburgh brought in Wilson and Fields, many fans anticipated a special season. Now, Clark is issuing a warning to Steeler Nation.

"And that's not the place that Mike Tomlin, nor Steelers fans expected this team to be headed into 2024."

The Steelers are under significant pressure. Their offense was dreadful in 2023, and new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is expected to turn things around. While pundits and even Steelers fans have been panicking after the team's first two preseason games, it’s not yet time to hit the panic button.

It’s concerning that both Wilson and Fields struggled against the Bills' JV squad. However, it’s important to remember that it’s just the preseason, and Smith isn’t revealing his full playbook. This is also a new system with new personnel, so it will take time for the revamped Steelers offense to fully gel.

Steelers' Justin Fields Showed What The Offense Would Look Like With Him

Fields didn’t perform poorly in his second preseason game. He led the team in rushing and made some exciting plays, including an impressive scramble and sideline throw. He also almost connected on a deep ball to TJ Luther, but Luther presumably mistimed his jump, costing the team a touchdown. Had Fields led a scoring drive, the conversation around the quarterback position might be different.

Wilson’s performance was more troubling. Despite completing 80% of his passes, he only managed one first down across five drives and failed to generate any positive momentum. While Fields showed flashes of potential, Wilson’s play raised more red flags. Clark’s concerns carry weight—the Steelers are in uncharted territory, and either Wilson or Fields will need to step up significantly from their performance against the Bills.

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