Getting into coaching camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers supposedly had a quarterback competitors. Head coach Mike Tomlin wouldn’t affirm or deny this each time requested. As a substitute, he certified that veteran Russell Wilson had “pole place” over Justin Fields. A calf damage hampered Wilson and restricted his taking part in time within the preseason. Regardless of that, Wilson was named the group’s starter heading into the season opener in Atlanta. Simply 4 days previous to kickoff, nonetheless, Wilson aggravated his calf damage in a Thursday apply. Justin Fields, with restricted preparation, bought the beginning as a substitute.
By means of the primary six video games, it has been an up-and-down efficiency for Fields. Initially restricted by what offensive coordinator Arthur Smith thought-about a secure sport plan, the playbook was progressively opened up. After a powerful efficiency in Indianapolis to carry the group again from a 17-point deficit that just about led to a game-winning drive, there was speak that perhaps Fields may do sufficient to maintain his job as QB1. Final Sunday, Fields took considerably extra pictures downfield than he had in prior weeks. Whereas the Steelers got here away with a dominant win, it was extra in regards to the protection and the run sport. To be truthful, Fields has been a giant a part of the latter this season with 231 speeding yards and 5 speeding touchdowns in six video games. As a passer, nonetheless, he appears to have regressed.
All this as Russell Wilson is lastly getting wholesome. Tomlin has not but mentioned which quarterback will begin Sunday evening when the New York Jets come to city. Followers and nationwide media alike have engaged in usually heated debate about which quarterback will give the group one of the best probability to win, this week and past. Does Justin Fields get the nod along with his youth, athleticism and the flexibility to increase performs along with his legs? Or ought to Russell Wilson get his probability to indicate that his expertise, potential to learn the sphere and previous success price within the pink zone give him the benefit?
It’s actually a lot easy than that.
Tomlin has to start out Russell Wilson this week. As a result of that is the one week he can do it with out creating chaos. The stage is about completely for him to execute a change with out sending a destructive message about both participant however that move expires after Sunday.
Tomlin believes a participant mustn’t lose his job attributable to damage. He has mentioned it for years and backed it up along with his selections. There are exceptions, like Kenny Pickett sitting whereas Mason Rudolph began late final season. However typically, Tomlin follows this coverage.
Russell Wilson was introduced because the starter earlier than the primary sport and stays listed on the depth chart that means. Say what you’ll in regards to the group holding Wilson again a bit longer than needed attributable to his calf damage however final week marked his first consecutive practices as a full participant. And this week Wilson is lastly getting reps with the primary group. If Tomlin goes to maintain Wilson because the starter, Wilson has to go this week. In any other case, Tomlin would want to clarify why Wilson didn’t begin regardless of being prepared.
It’s additionally one of the simplest ways to deal with Fields and the one strategy to keep away from truly benching him. If Fields sits behind Wilson this week, Fields isn’t technically shedding his job as a result of he was simply filling in throughout Wilson’s restoration. If Fields begins this week after which will get pulled throughout the sport or at any level after that, it’s a transparent message that he failed. That might be laborious resolution to play off as anything and the media will feast on that. Infinite questions for Fields, his teammates and his coaches. Sit Fields now, and the story is Wilson resuming his function. Do it any time after kickoff, and it’s a unique story. It additionally makes it difficult to carry him again later within the season or subsequent 12 months, Fields carrying the stigma of getting benched.
Tomlin doesn’t care what the media says, after all. He cares about profitable. And he cares about his gamers and their improvement, each as athletes and as males. Understanding that, it’s robust to think about him making every other transfer than beginning Russell Wilson at quarterback this week. It’s the appropriate transfer for Wilson. It’s the appropriate transfer for Fields. Solely time will inform if it’s the appropriate transfer for the group.
