NFL Analysis
9/16/24
4 min read
Justin Fields Is Playing Himself Into Pittsburgh Steelers' Starting QB Role
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be 2-0, but Mike Tomlin still has a tough decision to make at quarterback.
Justin Fields has helped lead the Steelers to two straight wins, but veteran QB Russell Wilson is patiently waiting to get back on the field. The Steelers knew they'd have a quarterback battle when they signed both players this offseason, but Fields's recent success has made the situation more complicated.
Pittsburgh's situation does not have an easy answer, but both quarterbacks bring unique skill sets to the position.
The Case for Justin Fields
Sometimes, it's best not to mess with a situation that's working. Tomlin could consider that with Fields leading the Steelers to a 2-0 start.
The numbers aren't jaw-dropping for Fields, but he's done a good job of taking care of the ball. He's completing a career-high 69.8 percent of his passes for 273 yards and one touchdown with four sacks in the first two games. He's also rushed for 84 yards on 22 attempts, moving the chains for six first downs with his legs.
Fields is still a new quarterback with a new team, so it will take some time to get acclimated to Arthur Smith's offense. He showed impressive strides as a passer in Week 2, posting 4.8 expected points added (EPA) against the Denver Broncos, according to RBSDM.
Although a holding penalty negated this play, it shows the off-script ability that Fields brings to Pittsburgh's offense.
Justin Fields. Sir, this throw is INSANE pic.twitter.com/SWWQLFJNiX
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) September 15, 2024
One of the biggest differences in Fields' play is how he's responded to pressure. Pro Football Focus charted Fields with a 109.7 passer rating in Week 1 when throwing under pressure. He's only been sacked four times in two games, which is on pace for the fewest times he's been sacked in his NFL career.
Fields is only 25 years old, and with a fresh start in Pittsburgh, he's looking like a solid enough starter to help the Steelers win games in 2024.
The Case for Russell Wilson
The case for Wilson is as much about the lack of offensive scoring as it is about what the veteran quarterback could do.
Although the Steelers are 2-0 and taking care of the football, the offense has only scored one touchdown. They've only reached the red zone four times, the league's fourth-worst red zone touchdown rate.
Wilson could bring a more stable presence to the offense. He's a Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler with 12 years of NFL experience. He could quickly step in and get the offense moving more frequently down the field.
Despite a rough stint with the Broncos, Wilson had a quietly solid bounce-back year in 2023. He completed more than 66 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while rushing for another 341 yards and three scores.
Wilson is also still one of the NFL's best deep-ball passers. When targeted receivers 20-plus yards downfield last season, he posted a 112.5 passer rating with 13.6 yards per attempt, six touchdowns, and one interception on 60 deep pass attempts, according to Pro Football Focus.
A deep-ball connection between Wilson and George Pickens could help the Steelers produce some much-needed explosive plays.
Who Should be the Steelers Starting QB?
Wilson might be the better short-term play, but the Steelers should give Fields a chance to keep proving himself.
Benching a quarterback who is showing signs of improvement would be a tough look for the rest of the Steelers locker room, especially with a 2-0 start. Fields is still a young, developing quarterback with a live arm and legitimate athleticism, while Wilson is 35 years old and nearing the end of his NFL career.
Giving Fields some more time to establish chemistry with weapons like Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and Van Jefferson will help the Steelers establish some kind of offensive identity. If things go well, the Steelers will have their long-term answer at quarterback, allowing them to spend the offseason building a playoff-caliber roster around the 25-year-old.
With Wilson, the Steelers might be a better team immediately, but it limits their options for 2025 and beyond.
