NFL columnist says Steelers' Russell Wilson is on borrowed time, 'Fields will have Terrible Towels waving for him'
The national media believes that the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of a QB battle. And while training camp will tell us how much of a competition there is, through this portion of the offseason, Russell Wilson is the clear starter. However, according to Judy Battista of NFL Media, that won't last long: Russ Predicted […]
The national media believes that the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of a QB battle.
And while training camp will tell us how much of a competition there is, through this portion of the offseason, Russell Wilson is the clear starter.
However, according to Judy Battista of NFL Media, that won't last long:
Russ Predicted to Ride The Bench
The Steelers are paying Wilson a little more than $1 million, while the Broncos are paying the rest of his $39 million salary. That minimal investment by Pittsburgh means there will be little to keep it from turning to Fields if Wilson struggles. Arthur Smith is an experienced and successful offensive coordinator, but any struggle by Wilson — and playing against the defenses in the AFC North gives quarterbacks plenty of chances to struggle — will open the door to Fields, whom the Steelers would almost certainly like to see play before having to decide on his future. I'm calling it: Wilson wins the starting job out of camp, but he won't hold on to it, and Fields will have Terrible Towels waving for him.
– Judy Battista, NFL Bold Predictions
The thing that has to be figured out in this whole situation is how much Russell Wilson really has in the tank. If you listen to some former QBs, they think his decline is purely from what's been going on around him opposed to his physical traits.
If Wilson's arm is still live and his legs still mobile, it's hard to believe he won't be under center in Week 1. But the decision-making that goes on within the game is what will determine how long he plays.
If he's out there dinking and dunking and avoiding the middle of the field (the area new OC Arthur Smith targets the most) then Pittsburgh will have no choice but to bench him in favor of Fields.
But according to Justin, the Week 1 starter is far from determined:
"To be honest, l'm taking it day by day. I'm definitely competing. I think Russ knows that we're competing against each other every day," Fields told reporters after the team's first OTA session. "Him being out there, for me, that helps me getting better, us pushing each other. I mean, I definitely don't have the mindset of me just sitting all year, so I'm coming in everyday giving it all I got."
The Steeler's final week of OTAs starts on Tuesday before mandatory minicamp next week.
Longtime division rival is not a fan of insider’s reported use of Steelers QB Justin Fields
He’s not a fan of the idea.
