The Pittsburgh Steelers stumbled against the Indianapolis Colts during their Week 4 matchup, losing 27-24. However, they are still 3-1 to start the season and are leading the AFC North. While not many expected such a strong start, the biggest surprise has been quarterback Justin Fields.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields looks to pass in a loss to the Colts during the 2024 season.
Fields is blowing minds and leading fantasy teams all over the league. He is seventh in completion percentage, 12th in passer rating, and 9th in total touchdowns. He is even off to a better start than Patrick Mahomes so far. Fields is having the best season of his career to this point and is even the team's second-leading rusher. After treating him scornfully for years, the fans and media are beginning to believe in him. It feels like Fields has the confidence of his team and his coaches as he continues to perform better and better each week.
Is Justin Fields having a better season than Patrick Mahomes? 😳 pic.twitter.com/NkcyafYPDP
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) October 2, 2024
However, football players are human, and as was evident last season with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, the teammates have their preferences and opinions. A fan recently wrote to Brian Batko from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to ask if the locker room is divided between Fields and Russell Wilson. Wilson was meant to start for Pittsburgh, but has been sidelined with a calf injury since before the regular season even started.
"There almost always are differing opinions in locker rooms," wrote Batko. "It's a collective of 53 guys, more if you include the practice squad, even more if you include coaches, and they're never going to think with one brain. In this case, my sense is that there's plenty of support for Fields. Obviously, it's tough to know for sure without being in there all the time and without being inside guys' heads, but I think Wilson earned plenty of confidence and respect throughout the offseason and training camp. That only goes so far, though. Fields has done his part to help get victories. That matters more."
Wilson worked hard during the 2024 offseason to build relationships with his new teammates. He invited several of his receivers to California to work out with him, including rookie Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III. He also worked to forge a bond with the city and the fans. He attended other professional Pittsburgh teams' games and worked with local charities. He can be seen stopping to take photographs or sign autographs every chance he gets.
Russell Wilson / x
Steelers' Russell Wilson worked out with several receivers during 2024 offseason.
Fields has also been impacting his teammates. Recently, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward credited Fields with helping rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. with the way he reads what he sees on the field. The younger quarterback said there are some differences in how the two promote leadership on the team: Wilson is more vocal and outspoken, while Fields said he prefers to lead quickly and help players one-on-one.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Might Not Take QB1 Decision Lying Down
So far, Wilson has been a consummate professional, despite being unable to play. He has been seen cheering his team on, supporting Fields, and providing leadership. However, soon, the minor injury story will no longer hold up to scrutiny. If Wilson really is 100% and is ready to play again, would Head Coach Mike Tomlin bench Fields when he has been playing so well?
Former NFL General Manager Doug Whaley recently told 93.7 The Fan's Morning Show that he believes Wilson will continue to put his best foot forward in public, but unleash his powerful media team in private. If he is healthy before the NFL trade deadline, he will have his team leak that he is unhappy. That way, all the other NFL teams will know that he is looking for a trade and consider trading for him.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Both Wilson and Fields are in the Steel City on one-year contracts. They are also both playing for their football lives. They need an opportunity to perform this year so that the Steelers, or any other NFL team, offer them a contract for 2025 and beyond.
What do you think the vibe is in the locker room with the Wilson vs. Fields debate? Click to comment below.
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