Although the Steelers handily defeated the Raiders in Week 6, Justin Fields‘ work is now under scrutiny. The quarterback has strung together two shaky passing performances, and consideration is now being given to benching the offseason trade pickup.
Mike Tomlin has refused to name Fields his full-time starter, but Russell Wilson practiced fully last week and suited up in a QB2 capacity in Las Vegas. Wilson won the Steelers’ starting job out of the preseason but has been unable to shake a calf injury. Tomlin has wanted Wilson to show he can stay healthy before reopening the conversation about the full-time QB job. Fields’ recent play looks to have pushed this conversation back to the forefront.
The Steelers are set to give Fields and Wilson first-team reps in practice this week, Tomlin said. The 18th-year Pittsburgh HC said Wilson has knocked off the rust that came from aggravating the calf issue, via Underdog Fantasy’s James Palmer and ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor, and is under consideration to start in Week 7.
Further clouding this situation, Tomlin said (via Palmer) the Steelers are open to using both quarterbacks. While an arrangement not too dissimilar from Kordell Stewart‘s mid-1990s part-time role would be an interesting continuation to the Steelers’ 2024 QB plot, Wilson was all but assured he would win this job this offseason. The potential Hall of Famer’s new team had established him as the clear frontrunner, but once he suffered the calf injury early in training camp, the 13th-year vet saw the more athletic Fields narrow the gap. The Steelers waited until a few days after the preseason ended to name Wilson the starter.
While the Broncos did demote Wilson to close out last season, his contract was at the root of the move to Jarrett Stidham. Wilson has never been a true QB2. The decorated passer being moved into that role on a full-time basis would almost certainly not sit well, considering he won the job initially. That makes this week of practice pivotal for Wilson’s career and Fields’ future.
It still makes more sense for the Steelers to consider a second contract for Fields than Wilson, seeing as the former is more than 10 years younger. Fields’ age-25 season started decently, with the Steelers 3-0, and then included a 312/55 day in a loss to the Colts. A depleted Cowboys defense kept Fields in check, however, and he was 14-for-24 for 145 yards — albeit with two rushing touchdowns — against the Raiders. A penalty also negated a Fields INT, helping bring Wilson back into the mix for Week 7, when the Steelers will host the Jets.
Reports of Fields having done enough to keep his job have emerged this season, but a September offering pointing to Wilson being likely to return to the starting role suddenly appears more relevant. Should Fields play fewer than 51% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps, the Bears would only receive a 2025 sixth-round pick. Fields hitting that threshold, as he is currently on track to, would send a 2025 fourth to Chicago. The Bears will have a vested interest in how Wilson performs in practice this week, as Tomlin shifting course would affect the NFC North team’s draft assets.
I like Fields and I’ve been mostly pleased with his performance. But this was going to happen unless Fields was putting up Top 10 numbers as a passer. And he actually had his worst passing game against the Raiders IMO.
At his age, there is both a remote chance Russ stays healthy and wins games Fields wouldn’t. However, this potential move would protect Fields while the Steelers move into the difficult stretch of their schedule where they face much better, aggressive defenses over the next four games. Tomlin is smart to protect Fields’ wheels for the stretch run.
That’s an angle I hadn’t thought of or heard before. And it’s not a bad take either. What I have liked most about the Steeler QB situation is that, whether or not Tomlin is handling it the right way, he’s not handling it in the media. I would bet anything that he has been in constant communication with both Justin and Russell about where they stand. Tomlin has weaknesses, and sometimes many of them. But there may not be a better coach at knowing how to talk to each of 50-60 guys in a roster in a unique way, and to earn the trust of every single one of them.
If you have to bench your QB1 during the stretch part of your schedule, is he your #1?
Would you rather win ugly or lose exciting games?
He’ll be the starter again by halftime
Where’s those people commenting here after 3 weeks that Caleb sucks and look at what Fields is doing in Pittsburgh??
It’s been apparent that Caleb is indeed better, but Fields would’ve admittedly roasted CHA & JAX with their current roster, just not as prettily. However, it would’ve been even cooler had the Bears simply convinced Fields to become a RB/WR and kept both!
Disagree. Justin wouldn’t have made either 1 of those tight window throws to Keenan. He doesn’t look off safeties and manipulate them how Caleb does. Caleb processes and reads defenses better after 6 games than Justin does after 4 years. Watch Chase Daniels film breakdowns of them both all year and theyre nowhere close
I’m definitely not claiming he’d make the same throws at all. Rather, the Bears could’ve won those games just as easily with Fields, with his running threat altering the dynamics of the game. Same 4-2 record, though likely not the kind of passing we’re seeing from Caleb, who looks special. Bears made the right choice at QB, just wish Fields had been kept around. He’s nearly the league’s best rusher and was never given the personnel provided for Caleb. It’ll all workout for the Bears, not necessarily so for Fields.
Justin couldn’t roast Vegas so how is he going to roast anyone else.
Come on, Mike. Please just a few more games. We want that 4th rounder.
I think benching Fields after a win is the height of stupidity, but since it’s Tomlin making the decision, yeah.
Is he being “benched”? Or is he reclaiming the job that he was earmarked for in the first place? I’m not sure of the answer either.
Hmmmm good point
Gotta save that draft capital. God forbid they give up a 4th instead of 6th. Becoming a poverty franchise – and that’s coming from a true fan.
You have to be kidding me. If Tomlin switches to Wilson…that will be the biggest mistake Tomlin will ever make. First off to the people who complain about Fields passing stats. Just look at who he’s throwing too. His legs and string arm are what make him a weapon.plus he’s 10 years younger. And what will the team say about this dumb (0) move. They are 4-2. Amazed me that the Steelers fans and the local media wants Wilson. I’m a lifetime Steeler fan. If Tomlin does in fact switch and it’s determined that’s it’s because of playing time and the draft choice. Then this shows that, like the pirates, it’s more about money than winning.
He makes this move and the Steelers have a losing season. I know Wilson was great, but what’s the sense putting him in as starter. When the line is all heat up and the receivers are,well, they stink. Stupid is as Tomlin does.
Idiot
Tomlin and the rest of the Pittsburgh media must think it is 2016-17 and Wilson is one of the best qbs in the league and we have AB still on the roster. Wilson has been washed for years and this wr group stinks. However, like you said, replacing Fields is just another in a long line of stupid Tomlin decisions.
I get it…Wilson has the pedigree and he MIGHT be able to keep the Steelers in the hunt for a playoff berth but Fields is a better athlete and given better coaching than what he got in Chicago he could be the Steelers QB for the next 5 years. All Fields did was get the Steelers to 4-2 so the question is really how many losses and poor performances by Wilson before they put Justin Fields back as the starting quarterback?
I think they’ll let Wilson absorb the punishment the Jets & Giants could unleash against Fields. Possibly work with Fields behind the scenes to get deeper into the playbook for the stretch after the bye. They are running a very conservative offense that NYJ, NYG, & BAL can stop, three of their next four opponents that lead in sacks & QB rush yds prevented.
Look at it not as a demotion, but risk management for a Fields led playoff run.
Using that logic, which I love, could mean that Fields is the long term solution for QB in Pittsburgh and Wilson is expendable so let him take the beating and if the Steelers win the game / games even better. After Wilson gets smoked against the next teams, Jets, Giants, Commanders and Ravens, he will be more than happy to turn the team back over to Fields…if he survives that long.
I think Tomlin is simply messing with the numerous idiotic sports reporters here in Pittsburgh. Mainly the 93.7 morons, Bob”turkey neck” pompeani, and that moron with the stiff hair, Richie moron.
I seriously doubt he’s going to replace Fields. If he does, like I stated in another comment, then his place in Pittsburgh stupidity folklore is reserved for him.
Why is Tomlin so deadset on making this a thing?
Because he coaches like its 1974, not 2024…he’s as big a moron as Shelton
Because when they signed Wilson, Fields wasn’t there yet. So I’m sure some things were said, if not promised, to Wilson. Then Pickett showed his true colors and asked out. So they dumped Kenny and pivoted to Fields. Fields was well aware when he was acquired that he was going in as the #2 QB.
Yes, they’re winning… but not convincingly and not against good great competition (the Raiders literally helped hand the Steelers Sunday’s game, repeatedly).
Yes, Fields has played well… but not as much as a passer as a game manager. Actually the Raider game was his worst as a passer; there were at least 3 or 4 bad misses and a couple of others which were saved by fine catches.
I like Fields. He might very well be the future starter for years to come. He might even turn into the star everyone thought he would be. But he’s not there now. And he is not a playoff team’s starting QB now.
Wilson? He might be terrible. This might be a huge mistake. But this has been the plan all along. It was just delayed by Wilson’s calf injury.
Tomlin makes a lot of mistakes. But managing a locker room is not among them. I can almost guarantee that the team has his back with this move… including Fields, who has likely known all along that his tenure as starter was limited. If Fields was setting the league on fire, or if Wilson wasn’t looking good in practice or had been campaigning behind the scenes to undermine Fields, Tomlin doesn’t hesitate to leave Russell on the bench.
And who knows? Maybe Fields starts Sunday and I’m completely wrong. Nothing surprises me with Tomlin, but I kind of like that about him. I don’t always like what he does, but he doesn’t do anything without being confident about his choice.
Does it matter? Pittsburgh’s offense will operate much the same regardless of whether it is Fields or Wilson who is under center. Neither are going to be game breakers but at least Wilson is less of a turnover threat.
However few points this offense has, they have them because of Fields.
Is Tomlin figuring Wilson will be roadkill behind that line a few snaps into the game and this avoid a controversy?
This is crazy. Fields has his warts, but to this point has been able to mask them. Horrible decision imo