The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold decision earlier this offseason when they signed Russell Wilson and let the media know they intended to start him over Kenny Pickett. When Pickett was then traded, apparently frustrated by the demotion, Pittsburgh made a trade for Justin Fields. The addition of Fields created a bit of a quarterback controversy, despite Head Coach Mike Tomlin consistently saying that Wilson had the "pole position" to be the starter.
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Steelers QBs Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2).
Wilson reportedly suffered a calf strain that limited his involvement early in training camp and the preseason. This gave Fields more time to play with the first-team offense than he would have otherwise. It also led to the media insisting that Fields would get the start over Wilson. Most local reporters agree that Tomlin will stick with his original plan to start Wilson, citing that it seems much harder to bench Fields and put Super Bowl-winning Wilson in his place.
Recently, former NFL quarterback turned analyst, Robert Griffin III appeared on the The Rich Eisen Show, and host Rich Eisen asked him about the situation in Pittsburgh. Griffin doesn't think the national media is being fair to Wilson; he believes this is more personal for them and less about football.
"I think that people in our business have a problem with Russell Wilson," said Griffin. They don't have a problem with the way Russell Wilson plays because last year, he had a top-five touchdown to interception ratio. I watched the tape, and yes, he took some unnecessary sacks, but you can't replace that five-touchdown-interception ratio just because you don't like the guy."
Griffin believes that the likely current plan of starting Wilson and allowing Fields to develop is in everyone's best interests. According to him, if Wilson performs well immediately, it is a win. However, if the Steelers start Fields first and he struggles, it could signal the end of his career.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson walks down to practice at St. Vincent College in 2024.
Eisen asked why the media feels that way about Wilson. Griffin was quick to point out that he has always had a good relationship with Wilson, but that others might doubt his authenticity. He said that Wilson is responsible for being "CEO of Russell Wilson Enterprises" or CEO of whatever team he is playing for, and he takes that role very seriously.
"I think some people in our business don't believe that he's a genuine guy or they believe that he's too perfect, tries too hard to say the right thing too often," explained Griffin. "I just think that's his personality. I think that some people wish that Russell would just go to the club with them or something or, you know, hang out and smoke some weed or something. But that's not his personality, and I respect that. He's always been that way from the very first time I met Russell Wilson when we were rookies in 2012. He was the guy that I see in Pittsburgh right now."
Griffin said the Wilson we see going to Children's Hospital and expressing his love for his family is who he has always been. Griffin said there is nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with him just being a genuinely good person. He added that he thinks people want Wilson to be different somehow, but Wilson is just being true to himself.
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Troy Polamalu, Russell Wilson, Ciara, Brett Keisel and Damar Hamlin attend a Pittsburgh Penguins game.
Steelers' Justin Fields' Best Bet Is To Sit Tight
Fields was a first-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021. Unfortunately, he could never get in rhythm with his offense there. He faced myriad issues, including a lack of weapons, a revolving door of offensive coordinators, and a weak line.
Griffin believes sitting on the bench behind Wilson might be frustrating based on his immediate hopes for the future, but thinks it makes the most sense in the long run. The Steelers will provide Fields with the stability he lacked in Chicago and give him the kind of culture he has needed all along. He believes that Tomlin understands this is what is best for Fields, and part of coaching a player in his situation is to help him understand that.
Do you agree with Griffin that the national media has something against Wilson? Click to comment below.
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