Steelers Proved How Much Coaching Staff Truly Believes In Russell Wilson: Team "Didn't Fully Trust Justin Fields"

The Pittsburgh Steelers scored their biggest win of the season against the New York Jets in a Week 7 Sunday Night Football matchup. After a week of hearing about how good the Jets' defense is and how the pairing of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams would spell trouble for Pittsburgh, the black and gold took to the air to win 37-15.

While the offense got off to a slow start, with Russell Wilson being booed after about six plays, it found its rhythm. It was what everyone had hoped to see when Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith was hired. Smith succeeded with the Tennessee Titans running an offense that heavily featured a run game that opened up the passing game. That felt like a perfect fit for Pittsburgh, where smash-mouth football has always been a way of life. 

When the quarterback change was first mentioned, Tomlin did not definitively answer who the starter would be, but George Pickens did, and many were upset about the change. After all, Justin Fields had the team at 4-2 and tied for first place in the AFC North. How do you bench your quarterback was the question on everyone's mind. However, Tomlin clarified that the team felt it had a weapon in the locker room that hadn't been explored.   

Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson on the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show to discuss the big win. Crowley said that as soon as he heard Wilson would start, he wondered if the former Super Bowl winner would be given the same message as Fields about protecting the ball. 

Through the season's first six games, the narrative seemed to be that Fields was told to check the ball down, play a conservative game, and not take risks. Fields even admitted he wasn't allowed to make changes based on what the defense was showing. Kaboly said it solidified that the coaching staff felt differently about Wilson than Fields. 

"You're right," Kaboly agreed. "He put them in position to be able to do that early in the game by throwing the ball down the field and taking control of the ball. I think it does speak a ton; we've said it, or at least I've said it for a while: the Steelers didn't fully trust Justin Fields. I think that was just magnified last night. They said, 'Russell you haven't played since Christmas of last year, but I don't really care, go do what you want to do.' It worked."

It is impossible to dispute how much more effective Wilson's passing game was compared to Fields. Wilson completed 16 out of 29 attempted passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He could air the ball out after Fields wasn't truly allowed to do. Crowley pointed out that Wilson wasn't in danger of throwing interceptions. They weren't risky throws, unlike some of the ones Fields made. 

Kaboly agreed, but said the real litmus test is if they can do it again. The Steelers face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 8, and it is hard to imagine anyone but Wilson under center for that game. 

Steelers' Russell Wilson Wasn't Fazed By The Boo Birds

The majority of fans were already upset with the change. They had bought into Fields' athleticism and felt that with a banged-up offensive line, someone more mobile would give the team its best chance at winning. That's why it wasn't surprising when the fan base didn't give Wilson long. 

After only a handful of series, the fans got restless. Wilson had made a few errant throws that they thought he should have completed and began to boo him and cheer for Fields to come in. According to some, Fields was warming up on the sideline, as possible notice to Wilson that his leash wasn't unlimited. 

However, Wilson found his rhythm and started connecting with multiple receivers. That allowed the running game to open up and helped Najee Harris have one of the best games of his career. 

Do you agree the Steelers didn't trust Fields? Click to comment below.

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