With Russell Wilson returning as a full participant in apply this week, saying he is able to go, the stress is ramping up on Justin Fields to defend his beginning job. There’s a respectable likelihood that Wilson is lively Sunday in Las Vegas, which implies Fields could possibly be a foul play or two, or one other sluggish first half, away from getting pulled in favor of Wilson.
Not all people is pondering that means. Some don’t suppose Fields’ job must be in danger in any respect. Former league MVP Cam Newton might be counted firmly amongst that group.
“Actually, use Russell Wilson as commerce worth,” Newton stated Friday throughout his debut on ESPN’s First Take. “The truth that the Miami Dolphins haven’t reached out to Pittsburgh is past me, particularly with that particular scenario at this specific time limit. I believe we’ve seen sufficient in Pittsburgh to essentially crown Justin Fields, and so they’ve stated it with out actually saying it. The entire morale of the crew, guys are preventing for him. They’re taking part in for him. And I don’t know, it’s most likely in too deep for Russell Wilson on the finish of the day.”
One of many huge issues the Steelers wanted from their quarterback this 12 months, aside from his precise play on the sphere, was the power to steer the younger group. To Fields’ credit score, it does appear to be his teammates have rallied round him. A 3-0 begin to the season often helps issues, however now the Steelers are on the verge of a three-game dropping streak. We’re already beginning to see the offense come aside on the seams.
After the three-game win streak to begin the season, there was some chatter in regards to the high quality of the Steelers’ opponents. However by means of 5 weeks, the Atlanta Falcons are 3-2, the Denver Broncos are 3-2, and the Los Angeles Chargers are 2-2.
Newton identified, “They’ve some high quality wins.”
The method was working over the primary three weeks of the season, but it surely has began to collapse. The offensive line accidents piled up, the operating recreation stopped functioning correctly, and the protection began to surrender extra factors with harm problems with its personal. Beneath these situations, Fields hasn’t been capable of elevate the group to beat the problems.
Buying and selling Russell Wilson may make loads of sense, however the Steelers should discover a prepared commerce accomplice. The Miami Dolphins or the Las Vegas Raiders would appear like the 2 most sensible locations, however I haven’t heard a peep about it from any notable insiders aside from pure hypothesis. Wilson could be a really low cost add if a crew acquired him.
With Fields 25 years outdated, and far more more likely to be the way forward for the franchise, I’d no less than think about a commerce involving Wilson underneath the fitting circumstances. Wilson has a no-trade clause, so he must conform to the deal as nicely.
I nonetheless actually need to see him function the offense in no less than one regular-season recreation, and I believe Mike Tomlin and the Steelers do, too.
