The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major talking point throughout the 2024 offseason. They were enthralled in one of the most drama-filled holdout situations in recent memory with Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers. They also had the most intriguing quarterback competition between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, who were both acquired over the offseason. Wilson was recently named the starter, but many people are keeping the door open for Fields.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Quarterback Justin Fields stretches during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 Organized Team Activities.
Fields was able to make the quarterback competition a lot closer than many fans had expected. Wilson started training camp off with a minor calf injury, which caused him to miss a lot of time, and Fields took advantage of it, closing the gap between the two. Wilson's experience and success in the NFL gives him the benefit of the doubt, and certainly played a factor in him winning the starting job. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer spoke about the conclusion of the battle in his article Monday, and spoke about the love for Fields within the organization.
"This isn’t anyone’s first rodeo in Pittsburgh, and Fields took some fundamental changes that the offensive coaches gave him (one being a return to the type of footwork he’d used at Ohio State), and really worked on them over the past few weeks of camp. It was enough to have some folks internally push for Fields to start. There was, too, plenty of merit to the idea. But the way it is now, again, to give yourself two shots, also makes plenty of sense."
The fourth-year quarterback has made the appropriate fundamental changes since arriving in Pittsburgh, and he has done so under his new Quarterbacks Coach, Tom Arth. He didn't blow anyone's socks off with his play in the preseason, but some improvements were definitely seen since his time with the Chicago Bears.
Time is what Fields needs. He can learn under Wilson and take minor steps forward while riding the bench, but according to Breer, many in the organization were pushing for Fields to be the starter in Week 1.
@coachtomlin / Instagram
Steelers' Mike Tomlin smiles with QB Justin Fields after he won the home run derby.
The starting quarterback is ultimately decided by Head Coach Mike Tomlin, but the opinions of his associates certainly hold some weight. Especially his new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith. Smith would probably love to use a quarterback like Fields, who ran for over 1,100 yards back during the 2022 season. Smith operates an extremely run-heavy offense, which would suit a quarterback like Fields.
An athletic quarterback opens up a ton of possibilities for an offense. The defense would fear Fields' ability on the ground, while also having to respect the passing game. Wilson can move around a bit, but as he enters his 13th season, he has certainly lost a lot of his athleticism. Even though Fields was named the backup, fans may still get the opportunity to see him in certain packages or down in the red zone.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Giving Himself Two Chances To Get The Quarterback Situation Right
It would be easier for the Steelers to move on from Wilson as the starter in the middle of the season and give Fields the starting nod than vice versa. It's always more difficult to bench the younger guy. The coaching staff would essentially be shutting the door on the future of that player with the organization, which is obviously easier to do with the quarterback in his 13th season.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Breer explained how this went into Tomlin's decision when naming a starter.
"It’s much easier, for obvious reasons, to go from Wilson to Fields at midseason than it would be the other way around. In fact, had Mike Tomlin picked Fields, there’d be some question as to whether you could carry Wilson on the roster at all."
What do you think about some within the organization pushing for Fields to start? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
