Steelers Fans Declare Russell Wilson QB1 over Justin Fields After Last Preseason Game
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVAugust 24, 2024
Justin Berl/Getty Images
It sure looks like Russell Wilson is going to be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 1 starter over Justin Fields.
The veteran quarterback only appeared in the opening series of the team’s preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, finishing 2-of-2 for 26 yards while leading the team on a touchdown drive.
NFL @NFLRuss finds Pickens š
šŗ: #PITvsDET on @NFLNetwork
š±: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/h1UfOJUZWH
But the fact that head coach Mike Tomlin only played him for one seriesāand Wilson didn’t fumble the proverbial bag in that short appearanceāhad a number of pundits and fans alike believing that the quarterback competition was already decided in his favor:
Gerry Dulac @gerrydulacIf those people who think there is QB battle need any more proof there isn’t, Russell Wilson played only series and produced a TD. That’s all the Steelers wanted to see. On to Atlanta.
Mark Kaboly @MarkKabolyRussell Wilson takes 5 snaps and is removed from the game. Sounds like a guy fighting to be QB1 to me. There never was a QB battle. Never.
Mark Kaboly @MarkKabolyyou can argue who is better but you can’t argue who it is going to be
Caleb @VolsAndDraftI hate to be the guy, but Russell Wilson will be starting QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Matthew_Sean @Matthew_Sean96Thought we might see more of Russell Wilson than one series, but it also solidified his stance as the starter week 1, made that nice pass to Pickens, need to see more aggressiveness like that, and the o-line did it’s job blocking on Patterson’s TD.
Brian Cox @BCox5503If you needed any more signs that Russ Wilson will be your starter, they’re having Justin Fields run designed QB keepers at the goal line in a preseason game.
If he was the starter, that would not be happening.
Matt Banwart @MattBanwartIt’s insanity that the media keeps trying to push that there is a Russell Wilson vs Justin Fields QB competition going on in Pittsburgh.
Justin Fields has literally fumbled three snaps in preseason games alone.
Steelers Pundit @steelerspunditThis game has been perfect for those of us who want #Steelers fans & national media to STFU about the current QB situation & just allow things to play out naturally.
Russell Wilson is our starter until he’s not, until then, Justin Fields is the best backup in the NFL. #HereWeGo
Fields was solid himself, finishing 3-of-4 in the air for 40 yards while also rushing twice for four yards. He was given three drives in total, leading the Steelers to a touchdown, though he also took two sacks and once again had a fumbled snap.
Whether that fault was his or the center’s was up for debate, as it appeared the ball was snapped to him before he called for it. Regardless, it has been an issue for Fields in the preseason.
Gerry Dulac @gerrydulacAnother bad center exchange involving Justin Fields. He wasn’t looking on a shotgun snap from Zach Frazier. Regardless who is to blame, that’s four in three games for Fields.
That doesn’t mean Fields doesn’t have his defenders, with a number of fans calling for him to be named the starter, while others at the very least want to see him play some role even if he doesn’t win the gig:
Acrussure Stadiumā¢ļø @acRUSSureI know it’s not happening, but Justin Fields is still my QB1. Russ is a rental, and we aren’t gonna legitimately contend with him at QB anyway. Might as well give Fields a season to see what you’ve got in him
JTGSportsPicks š° @JTGSPORTSPICKSMike Tomlin should start Justin Fieldsā¦ somebody made a great point that benching russ halfway thru the season would be bad for the locker room.
Jo3yy @BlitzzBurrghJustin Fields needs to be QB1…and he will be once the Steelers Oline gets Russ killed..
So like Week 5 or 6. #HereWeGo
Nick Farabaugh @FarabaughFBJustin Fields just ripping a ball over the MOF with some anticipation into the throwing window????
malique. @shack_116At this point idgaf who ends up starting. I just want the guy who gives us the best chance to win.
But Justin Fields NEEDS to have multiple packages designed for him. He’s way too dynamic not be used while we have him.
Especially in those short yardage/red zone situations
The question at this point doesn’t seem to be who will start the season atop the depth chart. Wilson was given pole position in the competition and seemingly has held it.
The real question is how much of a leash he’ll have if he struggles early. Wilson’s time in Denver didn’t go well at all, and there are serious questions about whether his best football is well behind him.
Fields lurks behind, though his tendency toward holding onto the ball for too long, missing reads and taking too many sacks often counteracted his big-play potential during his time in Chicago. His potential is high, given his scrambling ability, but for now it looks as though the Steelers will go with the more established option in Wilson.
