Over the span of several hours, Russell Wilson managed to silence any call for the Steelers to go back to Justin Fields, and the on-field result somehow happened to be so much better than anyone could have expected. Pittsburgh’s 37-15 rout of Aaron Rodgers and the Jets proved to be the most surprising result of Week 7, not because the Steelers won, but rather because of how they won.
The Steelers’ offense had not scored this many points in a game since Ben Roethlisberger’s last season. They also eclipsed their season high for total yards in a game (409). It was clear to everyone watching that Pittsburgh’s offense never looked this good under Justin Fields, leaving no doubt as to who will be under center for the Black and Gold going forward. After initially being flamed by many for his decision to bench Fields, Mike Tomlin proves to us once again why he is continually regarded as one of the league’s best coaches.
How Wilson Changes the Offense
The game proved that Wilson offers a higher upside to this previously hampered offense. To start off, Wilson showed throughout the night that he is not afraid to throw the ball deep, something that the Steelers’ offense has seriously lacked in the post-Big Ben era. Wilson finished the night going 16 of 29 for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding another touchdown on the ground. It was decidedly a better performance than Fields had produced in any of his six starts this season.
Wilson’s impact also extended to the running game; although, not in the same way as Fields. The threat of being able to throw the ball downfield ultimately opened up more running lanes for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. This attribute adds a new dimension to their offense: one that was not there with Fields as the signal caller. The night ended up being reminiscent of the Big Ben years, when deep throws were a staple of Pittsburgh’s offensive attack.
What’s next for the Steelers and Justin Fields?
Pittsburgh currently sits atop the AFC North with a record of 5-2, tied with Baltimore. Next up is a second consecutive home primetime game, this time on Monday night against the Giants. The Steelers are currently listed as 6-point favorites in that game, making it likely that they should be 6-2 heading into their Week 9 bye week. The post-bye schedule is very tough, starting off with games against the Commanders and Ravens, the latter of which will be their first game of the season against a division opponent.
For Justin Fields, it is hard to speculate when we will see him on the field again, whether it be for Pittsburgh or someone else. It is possible that the Steelers decide to trade him before the November 5th deadline so they don’t end up losing him for nothing in free agency? Perhaps, Fields could even request a trade so he can have a chance to play for a quarterback needy team, such as the Raiders. Yet it is still possible that Fields remains with the Steelers long term and ends up being their quarterback of the future. However, one thing remains clear: Russell Wilson has secured the starting job for the conceivable future.
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