Same QB battle, different result for the Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers have reopened their quarterback competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and like last time, the expected outcome is easy to see.

This team has wanted Wilson as the starting quarterback ever since he was signed. Wilson didn’t come to Pittsburgh as a backup, and if a calf injury didn’t change that last time, why would anyone think it will this time? They don’t care that they’re 4-2 or that Fields has 10 touchdowns and two turnovers. This team wants the best quarterback it can have, and head coach Mike Tomlin believes that is Wilson.

“Justin [Fields] “It was really good, and we were really good at times, but not to be confused with great,” Tomlin said. “It’s a competitive league, man. We’re trying to position ourselves as that team and we have a player with talent who hasn’t had a chance to play yet, so we might explore those things. Sometimes it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with what Justin did or didn’t do. Justin was an asset to us. Last week, for example, humans’ ability to use their legs intentionally and at will was an essential part of this game. He rushed for over 50 yards and two touchdowns in the game and we are very grateful for that. We appreciate the way he handles the ball, but we look at everyone we have available to us the same way we do at every position.”

The result is expected to be the same. Wilson will be named the starter at the end of the week. But there will probably be a wrinkle. Tomlin isn’t going to walk up to the podium and say, “Yes, we’ll do that,” but the window won’t close if you ask him to. And next game day there will be expectations that Fields will see the field against the New York Jets.

“Certainly there’s a scenario,” Tomlin said of using two quarterbacks. “This could have been a scenario where this could have happened last week. You know, I probably didn’t think about it the way you said, but basically we’re just going to let the ball roll out.” Both guys work and make decisions from there.

Tomlin acknowledged that Fields’ legs were an “X-factor” for the Steelers. No matter who you’re launching, you’ll want there to be an X-Factor component. Pittsburgh wants to combine Wilson’s decision-making and throwing abilities with Fields’ rushing abilities, particularly in red zone and short yardage situations – and the expectation is that they will utilize both.

“No, he doesn’t,” Tomlin said when asked if Wilson has running ability like Fields. “Justin’s legs are an X factor.”

It’s a classic quarterback competition week for the Steelers. One we’ve seen a lot in recent years. But while we, like everyone else, know the outcome, this one will be different. Fields will not be benched. Easy, on a bench.

In prime time against the New York Jets, Wilson’s name is announced during introductions. Fields will announce his name as he runs into the end zone.

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