The Pittsburgh Steelers were thrilled when they signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. After two underwhelming seasons with the Denver Broncos, many questioned if Wilson still had anything left in the tank. The Steelers, however, saw it as an excellent opportunity to acquire a quarterback with his pedigree at a bargain price.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields run on the field before a game.
Shortly after signing Wilson, the team traded for Justin Fields. Wilson was named the starter, but a calf injury limited his participation in training camp, the preseason, and now the regular season. This injury opened the door for Fields, who has taken full advantage of the extra reps and led Pittsburgh to a 3-0 start.
With Fields performing so well, many analysts are beginning to suggest he should remain the starter even when Wilson returns to full health. Questions are swirling about the severity of Wilson's injury, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently provided insight, highlighting just how significant the issue might be.
"Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin, typically among the league leaders in honesty from the podium, said there's no reason to declare [Justin] Fields the starter beyond Week 4 because Russell Wilson is not healthy," Fowler said. "This aligns with what I've heard throughout that Wilson's calf injury is no joke, and playing/practicing in the preseason seemed to make it worse… He's simply not moving at a high clip at this point."
During the preseason, Wilson played against the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. According to Fowler, Wilson’s participation worsened his calf injury significantly. While some have questioned the seriousness of the injury, Fowler's report underscores how severe it has been. Fortunately, the Steelers have Fields, who has stepped up to lead the team in Wilson’s absence.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson runs off the field after preseason game against the Lions.
When Wilson returns to full health, the quarterback situation will undoubtedly become more intriguing. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has expressed admiration for both Wilson and Fields. He’s been careful not to speculate on the quarterback position, stating there’s no reason to address it while Wilson remains sidelined and Fields is performing well. Tomlin’s respect for both players adds another layer of complexity to the decision the Steelers will eventually have to make.
After three seasons with the Chicago Bears, there was significant debate over whether Fields was the problem. Some believed he was a bust, while others felt he was simply in a bad situation. So far, Fields has silenced many critics, performing respectably well in his first three starts with the Steelers.
Though it hasn't been an offensive explosion, he has completed 73.3% of his passes, racking up 518 yards, two passing touchdowns, and just one interception. He has also done work as a rusher. Fields has carried the football 28 times for 90 yards and one touchdown.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Made His Calf Injury Worse Playing In The Preseason
It’s surprising to learn that Wilson’s calf injury worsened after playing in meaningless preseason games. While it’s unlikely the Steelers pressured Wilson to play, Fowler’s report suggests Wilson may have aggravated the injury by pushing himself too hard. Either way, it's a disappointing situation for Steelers fans, who are eager to see what Wilson can bring to the team when fully healthy.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson tries to get free from a Bills defender.
For now, Fields' stock is on the rise in the Steel City. He’s given Pittsburgh an exciting start and is playing with noticeable confidence. With each win Fields racks up, the tougher it will be to hand the reins back to Wilson once he’s healthy. The quarterback situation in Pittsburgh is becoming more intriguing by the week.
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