After 5 weeks with Justin Fields on the helm, the Pittsburgh Steelers start this week “in just a little bit completely different place” at quarterback, head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Tuesday.
For the primary time because the common season started, nine-time Professional Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson is wholesome sufficient to be a “scheduled full participant” in Wednesday’s observe.
How Wilson performs Wednesday and past will form the Steelers’ depth chart on the place.
“First we’ll see if he’s capable of clearly pull it off and get via the session,” Tomlin mentioned Tuesday afternoon. “We’ll see the place that leads us.”
Fields, the Chicago Bears’ 2021 first-round choose, has led the Steelers to a 3-2 file in Wilson’s absence. Fields has accomplished 67.6% of his 136 makes an attempt for 5 touchdowns and one interception along with a 97.1 passer ranking. He has additionally rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns, and fumbled 5 instances.
Tomlin selected to not crown Fields the Steelers season-long starter in Wilson’s absence. And Wilson’s means to return to full participation alerts in a crack in Fields’ safety on the place.
“I believe the truth that he’s a full participant is a door that’s ajar,” Tomlin mentioned of Wilson. “However to say any greater than that’s to take a position.”
Wilson will start integrating into full observe with second-team snaps “as to not disrupt Justin’s preparation,” Tomlin mentioned.
Russell Wilson can be a full participant in tomorrow’s observe for first time since reaggravating calf harm, Mike Tomlin simply mentioned.
For now, second-team reps as Justin Fields will get first. pic.twitter.com/6PPSydAhtM
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 8, 2024
“Till Russ will get to a degree the place we’re snug with what we’re , he’s capable of execute the offense and schematics, he’s capable of put collectively back-to-back consecutive days and so forth, I simply assume that’s a hypothetical dialog,” Tomlin mentioned. “We’re going to proceed to push ahead with Justin till these issues are reliable after which we’ll make these selections accordingly.”
Each quarterbacks arrived in Pittsburgh this spring after challenges at their final cease. Fields presided over three dropping seasons in Chicago earlier than the Bears traded him to Pittsburgh in anticipation of drafting USC product Caleb Williams first general.
The Denver Broncos launched Russell Wilson when head coach Sean Payton sought a unique path at quarterback. The Broncos’ megadeal with Wilson gave the Steelers an enormous monetary break, Wilson costing Pittsburgh the veteran-minimum $1.2 million whereas Wilson consumes $53 million in lifeless cap house for Denver.
Neither quarterback is beneath contract with Pittsburgh after this season.
Tomlin mentioned Wilson was in “pole place” for the beginning job, giving him the nod even after a calf harm sidelined him for many of coaching camp and gave Fields possibilities to outpace the veteran.
However when Wilson reaggravated the calf harm forward of the opener, Fields began.
His effectivity and manufacturing appeared to enhance from Week 1 to Week 4, when the Steelers suffered their first loss towards the Indianapolis Colts. Fields had pricey fumbles in that sport however almost led a comeback with 376 yards from scrimmage and three complete touchdowns. He confirmed his most command of downfield passing that sport, additionally notching two scores along with his legs.
However towards the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night time Soccer this previous week, Fields threw for 131 yards every week after 312. He nonetheless handed for 2 touchdowns, however alternatives to capitalize on Cowboys turnovers evaporated because the Steelers transformed a season-low 25% (3-of-12) third-down makes an attempt.
As of now, Steelers nonetheless getting ready for Justin Fields to begin.
Tomlin: “Till Russ will get to a degree the place we’re snug with what we’re …we’re going to proceed to push ahead with Justin till these issues are reliable & then we’ll make these selections.” https://t.co/2AXTsglldp
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 8, 2024
The Steelers recovered Fields’ lone fumble however nonetheless ended up in third-and-24 after which punting afterward.
May the Steelers profit from Wilson’s arm expertise?
“I believe that’s considerably speculative as a result of he hasn’t carried out right here,” Tomlin mentioned. “I believe that may get revealed when he will get a chance to carry out right here and be revealed with extra readability the extra he performs right here.”
The Steelers have navigated a rotation at offensive line attributable to accidents, which Tomlin mentioned he believes is contributing to their sluggish begins whereas not affecting “our means to safe victory over the course of 60 minutes.”
Wilson’s mobility to guard himself in mild of a makeshift line will issue into any lineup change.
Wilson, who performed in two Tremendous Bowls and gained one with the Seattle Seahawks, has accomplished 64.7% of passes in his profession whereas throwing for 334 touchdowns to 106 interceptions.
He was perennially environment friendly and productive in 10 Seattle years, averaging a 101.8 passer ranking earlier than struggling via his first Broncos season (88.4 ranking) and rebounding the next yr (98.0). The Broncos went 7-8 final yr with Wilson, however he averaged 204.7 yards per sport whereas throwing for 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Wilson’s well being and efficiency as he ramps up in observe will information what’s subsequent.
“The restricted participation guys, we let the quantity of participation and the standard of that participation be our information,” Tomlin mentioned. “By way of whether or not or not we embody them and the way a lot we embody them as we push ahead towards sport time, it stays the identical at that [quarterback] place.”
