On Wednesday, head coach Mike Tomlin named Russell Wilson the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback ahead of the start of the regular season. However, Tomlin would not rule out the possibility the team would use Justin Fields in their Week 1 contest against the Atlanta Falcons.
It wasn’t surprising when Tomlin officially named Wilson the starting quarterback. Earlier this offseason, Tomlin said Wilson was in the pole position for the job. He backed Wilson when the veteran had to miss the beginning of training camp with an injury.
Fields had plenty of opportunities to win the starting job. However, he didn’t outright take the position. Fields made too many mistakes in the preseason to win the job.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a difficult decision
Per Brooke Pryor with ESPN, Tomlin said the decision between Fields and Wilson was hard because both Quarters showed what they could bring to the offense:
“It was a difficult decision, but not difficult in a negative way, to be quite honest with you. It was difficult in a positive way. The decision was difficult because of what they’re capable of doing. Decision was difficult because of how they have conducted themselves as opposed to the things that they fall short in in terms of capabilities or negative conduct.
Fields struggled with handling snaps and fumbling during the preseason. He has a history of trouble reading defenses and getting the ball out on time as a passer. But one thing Fields brings to the Steelers is dynamic speed as a runner.
The Steelers could use Justin Fields in Week 1
Tomlin knows that the Steelers can start Wilson under center and draw up plays during a game for Fields to showcase his game-changing abilities. Per Pryor, Tomlin said the Steelers could use Fields in package plays during the season:
“That’s certainly on the table, but I’m not going to get into many details regarding that or things of that nature because it doesn’t help us from a competitive-advantage standpoint,” Tomlin said.
“But make no mistake, his talent — his unique talent as it pertains to mobility — is something that we’re open to weaponizing, although I have acknowledged that Russ is QB1.”
Tomlin’s comments feel more like a back-handed compliment for Fields.
On one hand, he praised his mobility as something the Steelers should utilize. On the other hand, Fields wants to play quarterback. While mobility can be helpful as a quarterback, that shouldn’t be the skill set Fields wants at the forefront of Tomlin’s mind.
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