Justin Fields was never going to start when the Pittsburgh Steelers open their season Week 1 at Atlanta. There was no competition at quarterback. Russell Wilson was not only in pole position to start training camp, but the checkered flag was predetermined.
But perhaps Fields should start. Not Week 1, obviously. But sooner rather than later.
That’s no criticism of Wilson.
He will bring a sense of organization and leadership that Fields wouldn’t and like Fields might never. Fields has great athleticism but doesn’t know how to play quarterback.
Some of Wilson’s numbers have value for an offense trying to maximize meager weaponry.
Last season with Denver, Wilson rushed for 38 first downs.
In the red zone, Wilson threw 20 touchdowns and just one interception.
Wilson will be a steadying influence.
But how much will a mere steadying influence mean against Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, etc.? Heck, Wilson faces a tall order at Atlanta when he has to outscore Kirk Cousins.
Fields would be an unsteadying influence compared to Wilson.
But Fields can run. He rushed for 657 yards last season with Chicago, 1,143 the year before.
Plug those stats into what the Steelers figure to get from running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and the Steelers very likely lead the NFL in rushing or come close.
At least the offense would be doing something. Right now, that side of the ball looks like a whole lot of nothing. Oppenheimer might be Matt Canada Jr. (Or maybe it was never Canada’s fault, certainly not to the degree scapegoating dictated.)
Fields would turn the ball over a lot. In just 40 NFL games, he’s thrown 30 interceptions and fumbled 38 times. Those numbers are mind-boggling.
But Fields would improvise his way into big plays occasionally, via both his legs and arm. The playbook would obviously utilize his running. He’s Lamar Jackson Lite.
Would the reward justify the risk and vindicate mistakes produced by said risk?
Probably not.
But Fields’ upside is higher.
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• Tim Benz: Refuting the idea that Mike Tomlin created an 'unnecessary distraction' with his QBs
These Steelers have zero chance of winning the AFC North or a playoff game.
Wilson is 35. Is he the Steelers’ long-term quarterback? For even a year or two beyond this? Doubtful.
Why did the Steelers, a meh team at best, get an aging stopgap QB? Is the goal excellence or to just squeak by? Or are they really foolish enough to think Wilson can lead them to great things?
Fields is 25 and a former first-round pick. He’s got athleticism and pedigree. His football IQ is what lacks.
If the Steelers played Fields, at least they would find out about him.
If Fields stinks, move on. (His contract expires at season’s end, anyway. Like Wilson’s. The Steelers might have to totally reconstruct their quarterback room for a second straight year. Not great planning.)
If the Steelers go 5-12, so much the better. Then you draft your next long-term quarterback.
The Steelers desperately need to do that at some point: Have a terrible season, then get a franchise QB. (Kenny Pickett was never that. That was just force-feeding yourself the Pitt guy.)
The Steelers never look past the next game. Such narrow focus is why they never have a losing season.
It’s also why they haven’t really won enough in over a decade.
With Wilson at quarterback, the Steelers won’t have a losing season.
They also won’t win enough.