The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t exactly get inspiring quarterback play from either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields during Saturday night’s 9-3 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.
While playing behind an offensive line that struggled to get its footing, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields each played a half against the Bills, while passing for 139 yards combined.
Pittsburgh’s offense being stuck in neutral did little to create separation for either Wilson or Fields amid one of the most consequential summer position battles across the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields Call an ‘Obvious’ One, Says NFL Analyst
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky watched what unfolded in Pittsburgh this weekend and believes head coach Mike Tomlin really has only one good option forward.
“Justin Fields should start for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Orlovsky declared Monday on ESPN’s Get Up morning show. “Two preseason games in, and two weeks until the season, I think it’s obvious that Justin brings more good than bad in comparison to [Russell Wilson].”
Fields, 25, has completed 69.6 percent of his passes through the first two weeks of the preseason, for 159 yards with an 88.9 passer rating.
Meanwhile, Wilson was held to just 47 passing yards on 8-of-10 completions against the Bills, while also absorbing three sacks in the first half.
“The sacks, I would disagree are all on the offensive line,” Orlovsky points out. “Here’s my pushback; Mike Tomlin says ‘that’s not how we operate,’ I think that’s the biggest issue right now. The Russ that we saw, isn’t operating this offense. They certainly aren’t contenders with the Russ we saw this past weekend.”
Orlovsky’s concerns about Wilson’s ability to thrive in the Steelers’ offense come on the heels of two dreadfully disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos, including the veteran failing to live up to lofty expectations that he would experience a career-renaissance in Sean Payton’s scheme in 2023.
The Steelers have one more exhibition game to make a decision, but it sure seems that any advantage Wilson had as the experienced veteran in this position battle has all but evaporated in the span of a half of football against Buffalo.
