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The Pittsburgh Steelers may benefit from starting Russell Wilson at quarterback. Although Justin Fields has performed well enough to maintain his starting position, showing improvement and leveraging his athleticism to overcome the team’s offensive shortfalls, the ultimate aim for the Steelers is to secure a Super Bowl victory rather than merely making the playoffs.
Currently, with Fields at the helm, the Steelers rank 26th in total yards and 20th in scoring, averaging 20.7 points per game. In the competitive AFC landscape, these numbers may not suffice.
Despite a strong defense led by superstar T.J. Watt keeping them in games, the Steelers have been limited to 20 points or fewer on four occasions. For Pittsburgh to keep pace with elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, they will need an offensive boost. Furthermore, formidable competitors such as Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry’s Ravens, as well as Josh Allen’s Bills, present significant challenges.
Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged Fields’ contributions but expressed a desire for the team to elevate its play. “Justin has been really good, and we’ve shown promise at times, but that’s not enough to be mistaken for greatness,” he stated. Tomlin emphasized the need to explore all options available to enhance the team’s competitiveness, regardless of Fields’ individual performances.
Fields won the starting job by capitalizing on Wilson’s calf injury during training camp. He has since completed 66.3% of his passes for a total of 1,106 yards, tossing five touchdowns and just one interception, achieving a career-high passer rating of 93.9, ranking him 15th among quarterbacks while also showcasing his ability to scramble with 231 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Although Fields brings a dimension to the offense that compensates for a lack of high-caliber playmakers, Wilson brings experience to the table, even as he approaches 36 years of age. Fields remains poised, ready to step in should Wilson falter as the Steelers prepare to host the Jets, featuring Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, this upcoming Sunday.
Reflecting on his performance, Fields stated, “I don’t think I’ve played well enough. If I had, there wouldn’t be any question about who should be starting.” He acknowledged the need for personal improvement despite the team’s successes. “I’m glad we’ve gotten some wins, but I have areas to improve upon, and I will continue to work on those,” he added.
Tomlin’s impressive record, which boasts no losing seasons since he began coaching in 2007, includes guiding the Steelers to their sixth Super Bowl in 2008. However, it has been quite some time since they claimed the iconic Vince Lombardi trophy.
Understanding the necessity for an upgraded offense to compete for titles, Tomlin sees Wilson as a potential game-changer due to his own history as a star quarterback who has won a championship. Although Wilson faced challenges during a difficult 2022 season in Denver, where the Broncos were eager to part ways with him, he still managed respectable stats, totaling 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions for a 98.0 rating.
The Steelers are paying Wilson a modest veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million while Denver absorbs a significant portion of his salary, making this decision less about financial considerations and more about resurrecting the former Pro Bowl quarterback’s ability to excel. Tomlin hopes to see the Wilson who was once a formidable force in Seattle—a player known for being “dange-Russ.”