There is one former NFL Super Bowl champion who thinks that Russell Wilson has already lost the starting role for the Pittsburgh Steelers moving forward.
While it was expected that Wilson would be QB 1 in Pittsburgh, we now know that Justin Fields will be starting again in week 2. Fields got the win in week 1 and will get another opportunity to secure the starting job again in week 2 against the Denver Broncos. Fields could easily start the season 2-0 with two more winnable games after.
Former Super Bowl champion James Jones already thinks Fields has won the job and Wilson will be the backup.
Former NFL Super Bowl Champion Says Russell Wilson Is Done
James Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, thinks that it’s already over. According to him, Fields is going to be the starter this season moving forward.
It will be hard to take Fields off the field after a 2-0 start, and head coach Mike Tomlin will always play the man who gives the team the best chance to win. While it seems that Russell would certainly get a chance to get on the field, Jones seems to think that the chances of that are slim to none:
“I think it’s a wrap for Russ. I do,” Jones admitted. “I think the only way Russell Wilson starts is if Justin Fields gives him the job back by playing bad football. And the main reason I say that is they have Denver next — they could win that on defense. Then they got the Chargers — they could win that on defense. Then they got the Colts — they could win that on defense. So what I’m saying is, if you don’t go out and play bad… I don’t know how you take [Fields] out.
Jones went on to point out that Fields is a super young quarterback and is the future of the team.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers want Justin Fields to start,” he added. “Justin Fields is younger. You traded nothing for him — a sixth-round pick and you get the best out of him and you’re winning football games? What more would you want as a head coach? … I think it’s a wrap for Russ. … They’ll be 4-0 going into the Cowboys game and I don’t think that coach Mike Tomlin could keep him out of the lineup.”
Here is his full take:
If Jones is indeed correct that Russell will miss the first four games, and that the Steelers go 4-0 to start the season, then he may be on to something. We know Fields is the starter for this week, and Wilson may not even be practicing this week.
While it wouldn’t be surprising for Wilson to get an opportunity when he is healthy, the context of where the team is at when that happens will certainly matter. If Fields can give the team enough, along with their elite defense, to keep winning games, Tomlin would probably keep him as the starter.
Either way, coach Tomlin will have a real decision to make soon, and if you ask James Jones, he’s already picked Fields.
Related: BREAKING: Pittsburgh Steelers Reveal Week 2 Starting Quarterback
