Steelers' Mike Tomlin Will Certainly Turn To Justin Fields Against Ravens For A "Spark"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' season went from really amazing to a nightmare in the span of just four games. It wasn’t ideal for the Steelers to enter the postseason after losing their final four games of the 2024 regular season, but that’s the reality they face. Now, Head Coach Mike Tomlin must dig deep and turn over every leaf to orchestrate one of the biggest upsets of Wild Card Weekend. With a playoff victory drought dating back to the 2016 NFL season, Tomlin carries that weight, yet he remains steadfast in his determination to get his organization back in the win column and ignite a magical postseason run.

As the Steelers prepare to face their AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens, Tomlin’s willingness to think outside the box is becoming clear. On Saturday morning’s NFL Countdown, insider Adam Schefter revealed insight into Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith’s bold strategy to incorporate backup quarterback Justin Fields into the game plan. While Russell Wilson remains the starter, the inclusion of Fields signals the Steelers’ intent to shake things up and bring an element of unpredictability against a tough Ravens defense.

Fields, acquired in a trade with Chicago Bears earlier in the 2024 offseason, has largely served as a backup after a 4-2 start, but his athleticism and playmaking ability could offer a spark. Whether as a change-of-pace option or in specially designed packages, his potential to disrupt Baltimore’s defensive rhythm is a gamble Tomlin is clearly willing to take. With the pressure mounting and playoff success overdue, Steelers fans will be watching closely to see if this unorthodox approach can turn their nightmare ending into a postseason dream.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to pull out all stops, which includes sprinkling in their quarterback Justin Fields," Schefter told the show. "Later on today, we could see, are expected to see, a sprinkling of Fields to spice up things on what has become a stagnant Steelers' offense as of late. They're hoping that brings a little bit of a spark."

No one knows exactly how much Smith and Tomlin plan to utilize Fields. 

However, according to Schefter and his sources, it’s very likely Steeler Nation will see Fields in the biggest game of the season.

"We'll see how much they decide to use him later on," Schefter said.

This isn’t entirely surprising, as many expected Tomlin and Smith to consider Fields as a way to provide a spark. Fields has delivered some big plays during the 2024 season, both as a starter and in special packages designed to capitalize on his athleticism. However, in recent games, Tomlin and Smith have hesitated to turn to Fields, leaving fans wondering about their reasoning.

Steelers' Justin Fields Expected To Play Against Ravens In Playoff Game

It’s possible Fields’ injury played a role in the Steelers’ reluctance to use him in those special packages. Concerns about the risk of aggravating his condition might have kept him sidelined, but now, with the odds stacked against them, the Steelers seem prepared to take every possible chance to secure a win.

It also is very likely that Tomlin and Smith didn't want to take the risk involved with bringing out Wilson for Fields in some of those trying moments. Steelers fans are eager to see what kind of spark Fields can bring to the offense. With his dual-threat abilities and knack for making game-changing plays, his inclusion could be the X-factor Pittsburgh needs to defy the odds and advance past the Ravens.

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