Last month, there was some chatter that Steelers quarterback Justin Fields could see some action as a kick returner in 2024, with special teams coordinator Danny Smith raising the possibility at a team meeting. Steelers beat reporters were quick to throw cold water on the notion, and Fields himself recently did the same.
While acknowledging that Smith did indeed bring up the idea of having him return kicks, Fields said, “nah, I think everybody kind of interpreted it wrong. Coach Danny was basically just trying to send a message that no matter who you are, you could be on special teams. He just used that as an example” (via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Even if Fields is not deployed as a third phase player, his athleticism could be an asset in other ways, especially since Russell Wilson is expected to at least open the regular season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. However, as Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted during a recent chat with fans, head coach Mike Tomlin is not fond of taking out his starting QB to run gadget-type plays. Of course, the team would not necessarily need to remove Wilson from the game in order to take advantage of Fields’ athletic gifts, so it will be interesting to see whether OC Arthur Smith designs a package of plays for Fields as the 2021 first-rounder tries to unseat Wilson and prove that he can be the club’s long-term starter under center.
In that same conversation with fans, Dulac predicted that the Steelers will extend running back Najee Harris. Back in January, we heard that Pittsburgh was planning to exercise Harris’ fifth-year option, which would have kept him under club control through 2025. However, the Steelers ultimately reversed course and declined the option, which puts their RB1 on track to hit free agency next year.
Harris has been a model of durability and consistency throughout his three-year professional tenure, starting all 17 regular season games and topping 1,000 rushing yards each year. On the other hand, his heavy usage and efficiency issues — he has a career YPC rate of just 3.9 — likely informed the team’s decision to decline his option.
Despite their passing on the option, we heard that the Steelers would nonetheless be open to working out a deal that would keep Harris in the fold beyond 2024. The team’s policy of not negotiating contracts in-season and Harris’ own public frustrations with running backs having to settle for team-friendly pacts would seem to work against such a deal coming to fruition, so Dulac’s prediction is a noteworthy one.
Speaking of predictions from longtime Pittsburgh beats, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic says it would demonstrate “a lack of awareness and urgency if [the Steelers] don’t add a legit No. 2 [wide receiver] before the season starts,” and he believes the club will do just that (subscription required). Kaboly does not hazard a guess as to whom the Steelers might pursue, and 49ers GM John Lynch said his team is no longer talking trades involving Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk (Pittsburgh was one of the clubs eyeing Samuel).
Needless to say, a trade could come together at any time, and the trade market would seem to be a more likely source of WR2 talent than the free agent pool at this point in the year. At present, Hunter Renfrow (who is more of a slot option) and Michael Thomas (who has not turned in a healthy, productive season since 2019) profile as two of the top free agents available. In the meantime, players like Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins, Marquez Callaway, Denzel Mims, and third-round rookie Roman Wilson are competing for reps behind George Pickens.
“Even if Fields is not deployed as a third phase player, his athleticism could be an asset in other ways”.
Heck yeah! He could be that guy who runs out onto the field during TV timeouts to give the players a squirt of Gatorade.
Tomlin’s issues with gadget plays is a big part of the Steelers’ problems. When we had Ben and Randle-El out there, you could see some double passes and other plays that would make our offense unpredictable and therefore successful. But, Tomlin liked how Canada had a one page playbook that said: 1)run up the gut, 2) pass into double coverage. Not exactly an innovator.
How many gadget play head coaches succeed for 17 years in the NFL like Tomlin has? Most of those guys are lucky if they last 17 games.
I would say that every head coach who has found success for 17 in the NFL has utilized gadget or trick plays.
Play action pass, draw, end arounds, flea flicker, reverse, halfback pass, and hook and laterals for example. For example Vince Lombardi used the Packer Sweep as a base play in his offensive arsenal, back then to pull your guards and run parallel to the O-line was a gadget play. Don Schula ran the “Fake Spike” with Dan Marino, maybe one of the most famous gadget plays ever. Bill Cowher ran the “Reverse Option” in the Super Bowl…
There are so many examples of long (17+) tenured NFL coaches that have utilized gadget plays.
Wait until you see Arthur Smith’s playbook! Run the ball, play action pass, run the ball.
Ok? And that’s a problem?
It was in Atalanta. 3 straight 7-10 seasons.
Atalanta? Damn. The Greek league?
Atalanta…..aorarty….someone needs to lay off the powder. Everything you post is non sensical
Better than run on first, run on second, screen on third, now punt
I’m going to predict that since we’re beyond the idea of a big timer being traded here, they’re going to sign Michael Thomas. For once, I agree with Kaboly. They need a big time number 2. Whether Thomas is still that type of player is another story
And I also agree with Dulac. They’re going to extend Najee with perks.
Danny Smith is an idiot and probably really presented the idea but now people are covering for him. He should have left with Canada.