NFL Rumors: Steelers Insiders Feel Justin Fields Offers Upside Russell Wilson Can’t

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IISeptember 9, 2024

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With Russell Wilson out with a calf injury, Justin Fields started the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers at quarterback Sunday, helping lead the team to an 18-10 win.

Wilson, who won the QB1 battle this offseason, was questionable before being ruled out. Now there’s question as to whether he gets his job back when healthy.

Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer: “I’ll also be interested to see whether Pittsburgh goes back to Russell Wilson. Justin Fields was solid, but not spectacular. And there’s still a belief in some corners of the building that there’s a considerable amount of upside Fields gives the offense that Wilson can’t.”

Fields completed 17-of-23 passes for 156 yards but most notably did well on the ground with 57 rushing yards on 14 carries.

That dynamic of his game has been prevalent since entering the NFL with the Chicago Bears in 2021. In 40 games over three seasons, Fields rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Wilson is clearly the better passer, although he’s less of a threat on the ground (341 yards, three scores last year) and may be less so with a calf issue.

Elsewhere Sunday, the Steelers kept possession for more than 35 minutes, and six Chris Boswell field goals proved to be the difference. Meanwhile, the defense held Atlanta to 226 yards, and the Falcons also committed three turnovers. It was ugly, but the Steelers got the low-scoring win.

Breer’s report dropped after the victory, but there was talk even before Sunday about whether Wilson would take over.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Saturday that “there’s a chance [Fields] doesn’t relinquish the job even after Wilson is deemed healthy enough to return.”

Russini also noted that “some in the building could have gone either way with the QB competition.”

Wilson’s status for Sunday at the Denver Broncos, his most recent team, isn’t clear quite yet. He did travel with the team to Atlanta, but Wilson has been dealing with a calf problem since the summer, as Kevin Patra of NFL.com noted.

“The issue popped up before the first training camp practices. After his calf tightness lingered, Wilson made two preseason appearances and was named the Steelers starting quarterback.

“He was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice but appeared as limited on Thursday, indicating a downward trend. He was listed as a non-participant on Friday, and after working out Saturday and Sunday morning, has been ruled out.”

So there are two things to watch here: Wilson’s health and what the team does when he’s ready to return. In the meantime, the Steelers are hoping for 2-0 when they visit Denver on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.