Longtime division rival is not a fan of insider’s reported use of Steelers QB Justin Fields
The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a conundrum at the QB position. On one hand, they have a Super Bowl champion who is looking to rebuild himself, but on the other, they have a 25-year-old, who if molded, could be the franchise QB for the next decade. Carefully balancing what can be a delicate situation, recent […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a conundrum at the QB position.
On one hand, they have a Super Bowl champion who is looking to rebuild himself, but on the other, they have a 25-year-old, who if molded, could be the franchise QB for the next decade.
Carefully balancing what can be a delicate situation, recent news has suggested that teams across the league expect to see Fields in action, only not as a traditional QB:
Fields in a Taysom Hill Role?
“Justin [Fields] is obviously one of the most talented guys in the NFL. You know all the things he can do. The player, the quarterback that he is. He’s dynamic. It’s all about us winning. That’s the focus. I think it would strike fear in some defenses, that’s for sure," said Russell Wilson when asked about a potential package of plays in special or goal-line situations for Fields.
The question stems from a report from ESPN insider and former Steelers beat reporter Jeremy Fowler, who stated that teams across the league aren't expecting Fields to just hold a clipboard if Russell Wilson is the starter:
“I’ve talked to multiple teams now who expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to get a little weird at the goal line with Justin Fields, maybe have a package or two for him ready to go where he can be a runner or a thrower out of the shotgun,” Fowler said during SportsCenter. “Remember, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, when he was with the Tennessee Titans, used Derrick Henry in that way as a runner and thrower out of the shotgun, So, Fields with his quarterback background can certainly handle that.”
Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson wasn't as big of a fan of the potential role:
"I don’t like the gimmicky, using him in a [Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints] role,” Johnson said on the Nightcap podcast. "I think Justin Fields needs to not allow them to make him somewhat of a gimmick with these special plays and stay true to yourself as a starting quarterback, which he will be next year for the Steelers. Don’t start that gimmicky stuff because they will see you and view you as just that, a gimmick.”
Wanting to learn more about the pros and cons of a Taysom Hill role, I reached out to Saint's beat writer, Adam Holt for some context on what the situation might look like in Pittsburgh:
The Taysom Hill role for Fields is certainly intriguing. He’s an explosive athlete with similar size to Hill. That being said, using him in that role does place a higher injury risk on him. They’d probably have to make third-string QB Kyle Allen active on a weekly basis in case of Russell Wilson and Fields both getting banged up on a particular game day. I believe Fields can be effective in Hill’s role, but it takes a bit more preparation than many may believe.
Additionally, Taysom’s role has transformed over the past two seasons. He’s taking more snaps at tight end and out wide rather than in the backfield. Will Pittsburgh do that with Fields if they take a chapter out of Taysom’s book, or would it be mostly option calls with Fields replacing Wilson in the backfield?
– Adam Holt, A to Z Sports New Orleans
The noise, ideas, and "gimmicks' will only continue as we lead up to the season. Pittsburgh is notorious for running an open camp, often trying out trick plays and special packages including linemen as fullbacks and two-back sets during training camp.
We will undoubtedly see something of the sort with Fields, pushing the narrative and anticipation even further.
Stars are beginning to align regarding a Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
The phones are ringing.
