Steelers are already setting their big quarterback decision up for failure before it is even official
The Pittsburgh Steelers and more specifically HC Mike Tomlin added to the hysteria that was Tuesday around the NFL. Moments after a report that Russell Wilson would be taking first-team reps as he prepares to start against the New York Jets, HC Mike Tomlin added to the report by saying as much in his own […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers and more specifically HC Mike Tomlin added to the hysteria that was Tuesday around the NFL.
Moments after a report that Russell Wilson would be taking first-team reps as he prepares to start against the New York Jets, HC Mike Tomlin added to the report by saying as much in his own way.
Well, when you put all the parts together, including his announcement that Zach Frazier will be out this week, the presumptive change doesn't make a lot of sense:
Russell Wilson trending toward starting vs Jets on SNF
"At the quarterback position, like I said, last week we were scheduled for Russ to work in totality," Coach Tomlin said on Tuesday. "He did that over the course of the week. I got comfortable with his ability to display his health. Now it's about knocking the rust off. He did some of that last week. He is in consideration this week. We'll see where that leads us, man. Both guys at the quarterback position are scheduled to work tomorrow, and we'll just walk it day by day all geared toward putting ourselves in best position to win the football game."
The move doesn't make a lot of sense for a variety of reasons. Foremost, the team is 4-2 and atop the division with Justin Fields under center. They are also coming off their highest-scoring output of the season and largest margin of victory.
And sure, has Fields consistently been lighting up the box score? No. Did he look sharp throwing the ball the last two weeks? Not exactly.
But how does inserting Russ into an offense that just lost their best offensive lineman in center Zach Frazier, and has two other starters on the line on I.R. make sense? Mike Tomlin called Justin Fields’ legs an X factor and said that Russell Wilson doesn’t have the same running capability. Wilson will be a sitting duck, coming a calf injury and making his first start.
So look, does Wilson offer more variety in passing concepts? Maybe. But what he doesn't offer is the improvisational skills, ability to create out of structure, and ability to pick up first downs with his legs the way Fields can.
It's a massive move for the Steelers and HC Mike Tomlin. We know his locker room rides with him no matter what. But he's now banking on a QB coming off two calf injuries in his mid-30s with limited movement skills to step in and win while missing three starters (Frazier, Daniels, Fautanu) on the offensive line.
Good luck.
