The time is coming for Mike Tomlin to decide.
For weeks, with Russell Wilson coping with a calf harm, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach has been dancing round naming a beginning quarterback. And it wasn’t an issue. With Wilson sidelined, Justin Fields was the starter by default. There was no want to call a QB1 someway, and this prevented a possible distraction.
But Wilson might be energetic for the primary time this weekend, when the Steelers (3-2) play on the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3) on Sunday. The nine-time Pro Bowler totally participated in follow Wednesday for the primary time since Sept. 5.
“I believe the truth that he is a full-fledged participant is a door ajar,” coach Mike Tomlin mentioned of Wilson on Tuesday. “But to say extra is simply hypothesis, as a result of he must face the day. He has to indicate up on Thursday and see the place the roads take us by way of that.
“Until Russ will get to the purpose the place we’re snug with what we’re , and he is capable of run all of the performs, he is capable of put collectively consecutive days in a row and so forth, I simply assume it is a hypothetical speculation.” dialog,” Tomlin added of the QB1 debate. “We’ll proceed to maneuver ahead with Justin till these items are legit, after which we’ll make choices accordingly.”
But when Wilson is 100% wholesome and able to go, he ought to be QB1.
One cause is that the proof is piling up in opposition to Fields. After a 3-0 begin, the Steelers have misplaced consecutive video games in what’s shaping as much as be a head-to-head battle with the Baltimore Ravens (3-2) within the AFC North.
In final week’s loss to Dallas, Pittsburgh’s longest completion was 21 yards. His longest run was eight yards. The Steelers, who completed 3 of 12 on third down within the sport, had 226 yards of offense to the Cowboys’ 445.
The efficiency spoke to a Pittsburgh offense stricken by inconsistency, low scoring and gradual begins. The Steelers rank within the backside half of the league in a number of key offensive metrics: yards per play (twenty fifth), landing proportion (nineteenth), passing yards per sport (twenty seventh), dashing yards per try (twenty ninth) , scoring (twenty sixth), penalties dedicated and accepted (T-22), web yards per drive (20), factors per drive (T-20), purple zone makes an attempt (T-18), purple zone touchdowns (T-20) and effectivity purple zone (T-18).
Pittsburgh has additionally scored three or fewer factors within the first quarter in 4 of 5 video games, together with three straight. The crew scored zero factors within the opening interval in Weeks 3 and 4.
“It’s irritating, however we’re simply ourselves, to be sincere with you,” Fields mentioned after the Cowboys sport. “I believe the recurring factor is capturing ourselves within the foot… penalties, false begins and issues like that. It’s nearly execution.”
Can the Steelers resolve their offensive woes?
None of that is to say that Fields was dangerous. In truth, one may argue that he truly did handed expectations for the Steelers, who acquired him from the Chicago Bears in March for a 2025 sixth-round draft choose who may change into a fourth-round choice based mostly on enjoying time.
With Tomlin, Fields has teaching stability for the primary time in his profession. And regardless of the harm issues on offense, that is the perfect offensive line Fields has ever had. He’s going through the bottom sack fee (8.7 p.c) and stress fee (23.5 p.c) of his profession, per Pro Football Reference. The former first-round choose is hitting profession highs in a number of classes: completion fee (67.6%), interception fee (0.7%), go success fee (45%), yards per try (7 ,0), passer score (97.1). , missed throw fee (14.1%) and goal hit fee (74.2%) between them.
Fields has additionally demonstrated his capacity to deal with adversity. The Steelers misplaced 27-24 on the street to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4, however he introduced them again from a 17-3 halftime deficit to make it an in depth affair, with 233 yards of offense within the second half.
But what Pittsburgh lacks was evident within the Dallas sport.
The Cowboys trailed early within the fourth quarter and dedicated three turnovers to the Steelers’ one, however orchestrated 15- and 16-play landing drives to win the sport, with Dak Prescott main the best way. The distinction was that Dallas had a quarterback who may end in Prescott, who has 23 profession game-winning drives in eight-plus seasons. Fields has simply 4 in three seasons and counting.
Enter Wilson, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback who has 39 profession game-winning drives (in 12 seasons) — behind solely Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams (45) amongst energetic gamers. Wilson’s expertise is what the Steelers want as they delve deeper into the NFL season.
While not what he was in his prime with the Seattle Seahawks, the 35-year-old Wilson ought to have the ability to get extra out of the Steelers passing sport than Fields. Sean Payton soured on him final season, main the Denver Broncos to launch the veteran quarterback in March, however he wasn’t the principle problem in Denver final season. He accomplished 66.4% of his throws for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns with eight interceptions and a 98.0 passer score in 15 video games – greater than respectable numbers. He additionally tied Geno Smith with an NFL-record 4 fourth-quarter comebacks.
Tomlin’s protection leads the Steelers, who want the offense to run the ball nicely, keep on schedule, restrict errors and put the sport away if mandatory.
If Wilson’s mobility is respectable, he’s the most suitable choice to realize these targets for Pittsburgh.
“I believe for me it is doing no matter it takes to assist us win and simply staying targeted on preparation,” Wilson mentioned earlier this month, “being able to go when the time is correct.”
That time ought to occur as quickly as he’s 100% wholesome.
