Quarterback Conundrum: Steelers Face Tough Decision Ahead of Week 7
The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads, and it’s not just about their Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. The real question is, who will be leading the charge under center? Russell Wilson, the veteran quarterback who was signed to a one-year deal seven months ago, or Justin Fields, the dynamic young quarterback who has been making waves with his legs?
The Case for Justin Fields
Fields has been nothing short of impressive, leading the Steelers to a 4-2 record in six starts. His mobility has been a game-changer, with five rushing touchdowns and 266 rushing yards, making him the fourth-leading quarterback rusher in the league. His legs have also been a huge help to an offensive line that has been plagued by injuries. According to left tackle Dan Moore, “When you’ve got a guy like that who can make plays with his feet, it takes pressure off of us.”
Fields’ passing game has also shown promise, with a 66.5% completion percentage and five touchdown passes. He’s also been more accurate than Wilson in deep passes, completing 40% of attempts over 20 air yards last season.
The Case for Russell Wilson
Despite not taking a single regular-season snap, Wilson has been listed as the team’s starting quarterback in each weekly depth chart. Coach Mike Tomlin has stated that he doesn’t believe in unseating starters because of injury, and with Wilson now healthy, he’s in consideration to start Sunday.
Wilson brings a level of experience and consistency to the table, having completed 66.4% of his pass attempts in his final season in Denver. He’s also a master of the deep ball, which could unlock a more consistent downfield attack.
The Decision Ahead
Ultimately, the decision is Tomlin’s, and it’s not an easy one. Does he stick with precedent and allow Wilson to reclaim his place in the offense, or does he continue to ride the hot hand of Fields? Or could he implement a plan that utilizes both quarterbacks?
One thing is certain, the Steelers need to find a way to win, and Tomlin will do whatever it takes to make that happen. As he said, “Stats are often for losers. I just try to focus my energies on positioning this group to win and doing what’s appropriate to try to put the best collective together this week and win this game.”
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