The Steelers Absolutely "Go Further With Russell Wilson" As Crucial QB Decision Is Looming

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been deciding between two quarterbacks for the first five weeks of the 2024 season. Head Coach Mike Tomlin delegated Russell Wilson "pole position" early in the offseason. After Kenny Pickett chose to leave, feeling that he had been misled about his role, Tomlin and the Steelers traded for Justin Fields. 

Fields started as his backup on the depth chart when Wilson was injured and has remained there. Tomlin has been careful to say as little as possible about his plan for the quarterback position. Even when Fields was 3-0 to start the season, Tomlin didn't officially name him the starter. Now Wilson is healthy and was a full participant in practice, and the question has been raised about him starting Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Recently, Aditi Kinkhabwala from NFL on CBS joined The Poni and Mueller Show on 93.7 The Fan and was asked about Wilson and some comments made during Football Night in America by Melissa Stark, who talked with Wilson. Stark said that Wilson was confident he would play against the Raiders and was ready to "Win the seventh." Show host Andrew Fillipponi asked Kinkhabwala about Stark's comments and if she thinks Wilson should start. 

"It's not just her. You know, we heard Cris Collinsworth say that as well. I'm paraphrasing here, but I think the way that I heard him say it was, 'If you're rebuilding, then Justin Fields is an option, but if you're really trying to win right now, Russell Wilson has won a Super Bowl.' The feeling that I got is that he clearly is saying that the Steelers go further with Russell Wilson. I can only imagine that he came away feeling that way, and Melissa came away feeling that way because of what was said in those meetings."

That raises the question of what happens with Fields. Kinkhabwala said that when Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith initially met with the media, he told them that building Fields' confidence was paramount to them. She added that when she worked the Weeks 2 and 4 games, Tomlin indicated the same thing: He considered Fields' confidence and how a change would impact him.  

"I would counter that, with the guy [that] has been in a completely dysfunctional situation for a few years," added Kinkhabwala. "He's finally here. He's getting some footing. But you're not fully cutting him loose, you're not letting him do everything that he possibly can, and you're never vouching that he's doing a great job, and he's going to hold on to this job. How confident can you be if you're waiting for another guy to get healthy? How confident can you be if your head coach is never saying, 'You're doing enough to make this a conversation again?"

Kinkhabwala said that, in her opinion, confidence can be fragile, and Fields is doing all he can. She said he is saying everything right and being an excellent teammate. He is growing from the coaching he is getting in Pittsburgh and learning to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers. 

If Wilson does start against the Raiders, Tomlin doesn't have to formally bench Fields since he never gave him the starting job, but Kinkhabwala believes the impact will be the same. The Steelers have to decide if they are playing for now or for their future. 

Does Steelers' Justin Fields Possess Skills Russell Wilson Doesn't?

While Wilson is the more successful quarterback, has won a Super Bowl, and played in nine Pro Bowls, some believe that Fields has an advantage over him. Fields is an exceptional athlete, and that is undisputed. It was part of what attracted the Chicago Bears to him when he played for Ohio State. 

This led to Dan Graziano saying that he believes Fields can do everything Wilson can and more. In his opinion, Wilson can't move around the field anymore, and he certainly doesn't coming off a calf injury. Graziano added that the Steelers are struggling in other areas, impacting Fields' performance. They lack wide receivers, struggle to run the ball, and have a banged-up offensive line.

What do you think Tomlin should do about Wilson and Fields? Click to comment below. 

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