The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in an unplanned quarterback controversy during this past offseason. After sweeping the quarterback room clean, the franchise brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Head Coach Mike Tomlin almost immediately said that Wilson would be given "pole position" as QB1 based on his success in the league. It isn't hard to understand why since Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowler who has been to two Super Bowls, winning one.
Gene J. Puskar / ap photo
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields talk while they get warmed up for training camp.
Headed into training camp, everyone expected Wilson to workout with the starters and Fields to spend most of his time with the backups. Then reports broke that Wilson suffered a calf injury pushing a tackling sled. That allowed Fields to spend most of his time working with the first-team offense instead.
Tomlin said he wasn't concerned; Wilson is a veteran after all and should be fine, but it did stir controversy. Suddenly, fans saw more of Fields than they expected, leading to the beating of the drums for him to start.
Wilson did play a few series in the final two preseason games against the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions. Against the Lions, Tomlin pulled Wilson after the first drive, despite him making some solid plays. He even led the offense the distance, resulting in a touchdown. The decision to remove Wilson for Fields surprised many since Wilson had been so limited during the preseason and is new to the Black and Gold.
Steelers.com
Steelers QB Russell Wilson.
After the game, Tomlin indicated they saw all they needed and didn't want to take any chance of risking an injury. The fact that he was taken out so quickly led many to suspect that Wilson's calf injury wasn't fully healed. Monday, on 93.7 The Fan's Joe Starkey Show, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Brian Batko said he still has reservations. When asked to say the first thing that pops into his mind about Wilson, Batko wondered if he has "anything left in the tank at 35 with a problematic calf." Starkey was surprised and asked Batko why he called the calf problematic.
"I think it was problematic that he injured it at the start of camp and it put him behind the eight ball of the two weeks of the ever important team building process for Mike Tomlin," answered Batko.
Starkey added there is a difference between saying an injury like this was a problem and is a problem. He was curious why Batko referred to it in the present tense and asked if he envisions it dragging on into the season.
"I don't know. I haven't really seen him run in a game yet so until I see that, I'm gonna be skeptical."
Wilson has had a lot of success in the NFL, but he surely still feels like he has something to prove. He had a tumultuous two years with the Denver Broncos and has been open about his belief that he still has gas in the tank. This one-year contract in Pittsburgh gives Wilson his chance to prove himself, whether to stay in Pittsburgh or land a spot on another team.
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In Week 2, Wilson will return to the Broncos to face his old team and the coach who didn't want him anymore, Sean Payton. This follows the new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's return to his old team, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 1.
AP
Steelers' Russell Wilson talking with new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith.
For the previous few seasons, Smith was the head coach of the Falcons. That job came on the heels of his successful stint as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers hope to capitalize upon the solid run game Smith is known for.
How much do you think Wilson's calf is still bothering him? Click to comment below.
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