Earlier this week, we heard that the Steelers were likely to start Justin Fields at quarterback in today’s Week 2 matchup against the Broncos as Russell Wilson continues to work his way back from a calf ailment. We also heard that Wilson, who was named the starting QB at the end of August before aggravating the calf injury, was likely to reclaim the QB1 post when healthy enough to do so.
This morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirmed that Fields would get the nod today. However, Rapoport also added that if the former first-round pick of the Bears leads Pittsburgh to a victory, head coach Mike Tomlin may opt to keep the younger passer at the top of the depth chart, regardless of Wilson’s health status.
In Rapoport’s estimation, such a decision would not amount to a Wilson benching per se, but rather a case of riding the hot hand (although Wilson might not see it that way). In the Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the Falcons, Fields did not lead the team to a touchdown, but six field goals and a strong defensive performance were enough to carry the day.
Fields was highly efficient in the Atlanta contest, though he was also quite conservative, completing 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards. He also showed off his running ability, adding 57 yards on the ground on 14 carries.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith praised Fields’ measured approach. Smith said of Fields, “he was very disciplined. He wasn’t greedy. When the shots were there, we took advantage of them.”
Fields’ prowess as a runner has never been in doubt. Instead, the fact that he never blossomed into a high-end passer is what ultimately led to his trade out of Chicago this offseason, with the Bears taking advantage of the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft to nab blue chip prospect Caleb Williams. Wilson, on the other hand, has a long history of being a highly-effective passer, even if his last two seasons as a member of the Broncos did not live up to expectations.
As Rapoport observes, Tomlin continued to deploy Mason Rudolph under center in 2023 even after Kenny Pickett was cleared to play, showing that the league’s longest-tenured head coach is not afraid to deviate from his original plans if the situation calls for it. Should Fields deliver another “game manager” performance in Week 2, even if that performance results in a win, Tomlin may still prefer to see what Wilson can do. But if Fields should shine, then the decision could be more complicated.
I don’t think it matters who is quarterbacking. This team will go as far as the defense takes them.
Yep. Whichever one makes less mistakes will be the only thing that matters.
Boswell is the happiest steeler in the locker room
As long as he doesn’t also have to punt
You kick 6 FGs in a game and they only pay you $5M per season? That’s a travesty of a mockery of a sham and no kicker should be happy about that.
Even kicking 6 FG’s every week for 17 weeks, that’s $50K per made kick. That’s more than enough. But since the league leader last year only had 38 FG’s made, that would be over $131K per made kick
No team in league history ever lost a game where their kicker was successful on 6 FGs…what price do you put on that?
Nice stat of the day! Small sample size I realize but kickers hit over 91% in week one. Over recent seasons (ie – last 5 years), kickers are successful on about 85% of kicks. I do agree that you need to have a reliable kicker but I think that there are enough out there that $5 million is more than fair and probably more than I would pay.
Same offense the last couple years…the offense has Tomlin’s fingerprints all over it. Play safe,don’t turn the ball over,don’t throw down the middle
All 3 QB’s they used the past few years are now backups. What should they have done instead? Run the 1998 Viking’s offense?
And you 66..stick to hockey..you dipstick
So, is that a yes? You want (ed) Tomlin to run a high octane offense with a bunch of bum QB’s who are all now backups?
Or is that a no, you want him to run the offense they need to run given the personnel available to them in order to win and like that he does that?
Again dipstick keep your comments to hockey,don’t make yourself look like…well as don rickles would say..A HOCKEY PUCK
And I wouldn’t call Fields and Wilson bums…typical of posts from someone who doesn’t have any idea what they are talking about..stick to hockey
It’s week 2, how do you still have no actual reporting to do?
Because they report news, like the FAN 93.7 does. No reporting, just their nonsensical personal opinions
Well it is called ProfootballRUMORS…you want the news and reports go on ESPN, Bleacher Report, PFT .
And drop 66 from your name..you don’t give justice to Mario
Tomlin will go with whats working. If Fields gets better while Wilson sits, so be it. Wilson will be ready when the the team needs him the most. A long year.