Via three weeks with Russell Wilson because the Pittsburgh Steelers’ beginning quarterback, there have been no indicators of a Justin Fields bundle. A part of that has been as a consequence of circumstance, with Fields lacking Wilson’s second begin as a consequence of damage. Nonetheless, OC Arthur Smith made it clear this week that the Steelers nonetheless have a Fields bundle of their again pocket. Analyst Colin Cowherd thinks utilizing it might be a horrible concept although.
“No,” Cowherd mentioned Friday on FS1’s The Herd. “Why? Their fourth-quarter offense is nice. Why screw with it?”
Cowherd makes an excellent level. With Wilson as their quarterback, the Steelers have scored 31 factors within the fourth quarter throughout three video games. They’ve regarded good to shut out video games. Nonetheless, a Fields bundle wouldn’t essentially be deployed within the fourth quarter.
The Steelers have had some hassle within the purple zone, so maybe that’s the place they’d think about using Fields. His mobility can be a terrific asset there. When he was the starter, he did report 5 speeding touchdowns. Introducing that factor within the purple zone may give the Steelers a much-needed new wrinkle.
Nonetheless, it nonetheless doesn’t sound like Cowherd likes the sound of that both.
“Unique red-zone packages. I hear this on a regular basis,” he mentioned. “Let’s convey within the backup for some unique red-zone packages. Identify the best unique purple zone-package quarterback ever.”
Once more, Cowherd isn’t actually flawed. There aren’t many examples of backup quarterbacks being subbed into video games for packages and being simpler than the starter. The New Orleans Saints have used Taysom Hill in that capability, however that’s typically extra irritating than useful.
An excellent instance is likely to be Lamar Jackson. When he was a rookie, the Baltimore Ravens nonetheless had Joe Flacco as their starter. They didn’t wish to waste Jackson’s abilities, in order that they nonetheless used him in some packages. It labored to a degree, however it actually simply elevated the need to see Jackson because the starter.
The Steelers’ quarterback state of affairs is exclusive although. Fields was the starter for the primary six video games this yr, and he regarded positive. The Steelers have a good suggestion of what he does nicely and what he struggles with.
Cowherd finally ends up summarizing his ideas nicely, making some extent that’s nearly elegant and may communicate to some folks.
“It ain’t the iPhone, it’s soccer,” he mentioned.
That is likely to be how the Steelers see it as nicely. They’ve been fairly simple about how their offense goes to function. They wish to run the ball and hit some deep pictures when they should. Wilson has helped them get higher at each these issues. So long as he’s acquired the Steelers’ offense buzzing, there is likely to be no want to make use of Fields.
