When the Steelers brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in the offseason, Mike Tomlin made it clear that Russell Wilson had the pole position for the Starting Quarterback job. Tomlin maintained that sentiment right before the preseason began. Now through training camp and two preseason football games, it looks like it shaping up to be a true quarterback competition with neither one separating themselves from the other.
Russell Wilson missed most of training camp and the first preseason game with a calf injury, which allowed Justin Fields to get all the first-team reps. This allowed him to create chemistry with the players and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith without splitting snaps with Wilson. With Wilson sidelined, Fields showcased his ability to run the football and make plays from outside the pocket. This is crucial because Wilson, being older, is not as mobile as he used to be.
In the second preseason game against the Bills, we witnessed exactly why Fields should get the nod over Wilson. Wilson displayed an inability to make plays and get out of the pocket, while Fields managed to avoid multiple sacks and create plays with both his legs and his arm. Given the Steelers' young offensive line, escapability is imperative. The Steelers' line does not cater to Wilson's preference to stay in the pocket and make throws at his age. Wilson is still a solid quarterback and if it was any other team and offensive line situation, he would be the week one starter.
The Steelers' schedule is filled with standout edge rushers. They open the season against formidable opponents such as Matthew Judon, Maxx Crosby, Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, and more. This presents a significant challenge for a team likely starting a rookie left tackle in Troy Fautanu, the Steelers' first-round pick out of Washington. It is unrealistic to expect a rookie to hold up against these elite edge rushers throughout the season.
While both quarterbacks are talented, the presence of a rookie left tackle and the challenges posed by the opposing edge rushers call for a quarterback under center who is mobile and can make plays out of the pocket. This is why Justin Fields is the ideal choice for the Steelers in Week 1 against the Falcons in Atlanta.
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