Will Mike Tomlin identify Justin Fields or Russell Wilson the Steelers’ starter in the present day?
It’s Tomlin Tuesday in the present day, and you realize what which means—evasive solutions. For the primary six weeks of the season, Mike Tomlin has efficiently averted committing to both Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. Technically, he did identify Wilson the starter, however harm allowed him to hem and haw for a month and alter.
Now we’re right here, and we nonetheless don’t know who the Steelers’ beginning quarterback is. A minimum of, we do not know past a week-by-week foundation, which doesn’t help in stability. Russell Wilson solely returned to full apply final week, however Mike Tomlin had the excuse of not naming Justin Fields “the starter” as a result of Wilson was solely working with the second crew.
However what occurs this week? Whereas the Steelers put up 30-plus factors, they’d a whole lot of assist, together with a number of brief fields. And Justin Fields nonetheless isn’t exhibiting development as a passer. He has 5 landing passes in six video games, which is under common. Whereas he throws much less typically than most starters, he ranks twenty fourth in landing proportion. However he additionally ranks second in interception proportion. Then again, Russell Wilson can discover the tip zone whereas defending the ball, as nicely.
How a lot is Mike Tomlin factoring the long run into this present choice? Clearly, Russell Wilson in all probability isn’t going to be your starter for the subsequent 10 years, however Justin Fields may very well be. However the Steelers suppose Tremendous Bowl each season, and in the event that they suppose Wilson can higher assist them win this yr, they need to make the transfer in some unspecified time in the future.
Fields has been lucky typically this yr, benefitting from the opposite crew not capitalizing on errant throws and even fumbles that they couldn’t get better. Within the final sport, he had an interception negated by a debatable roughing the passer penalty. However the Steelers are 4-2 with Russell Wilson sitting on the bench on the finish of the day.
One factor that we now have to think about as nicely is the energy of the again half of the schedule. The Steelers haven’t performed a single crew that they shouldn’t have crushed but, the beneficiaries of some harm luck. One factor Fields has by no means proven is the potential of reliably successful a shootout. He has by no means gained a sport by which the opposing crew scored 20-plus factors. Russell Wilson has actually dozens of such wins over the course of his admittedly for much longer profession. But it surely didn’t take him lengthy to do it, together with twice as a rookie. And that is perhaps an excellent high quality to have in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs or the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers’ 2024 season is underway, following one other disappointing yr ending in a first-round playoff loss. They’ve had an extended offseason because the Buffalo Payments stamped them out of their distress again in January. There are optimistic indicators, however issues may soar off the rails any second.
The largest query hanging over the crew is the quarterback query. Will Russell Wilson regain his job when he’s wholesome, or is Justin Fields stealing it? How will the crew proceed to deal with the depth chart, which is surprisingly nonetheless in flux?
The common season is right here, following weeks of camp and preseason video games. The Steelers made quite a few strikes by means of signings and commerce—and launch. Greater than traditional, they appeared snug creating holes, assured they’ll fill them. Some they managed to fill, others not a lot. Now that we now have so many items of the puzzle, nonetheless, we merely have a brand new set of inquiries to ask.