ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes believes Justin Fields is a better fit at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers than former Wisconsin Badger Russell Wilson.
While Wilson landed at the No. 1 spot on the Steelers’ first official preseason depth chart two weeks ago, the regular season is an different animal.
On Monday’s edition of ESPN’s “NFL Live,” panelist Laura Rutledge asked Kimes which potential QB gives Pittsburgh the best chance to win early in the season.
“I would go with Fields,” Kimes said in the clip. “Both these quarterbacks struggled. Both of them have similar weaknesses in terms of holding onto the football, taking sacks, not always seeing the middle of the field well … if your passing attack is going to be boom or bust, you gotta go with a player that’s actually going to give you some of that boom. I’m not really seeing that with Wilson.”
Through two games this preseason, Fields has logged 159 passing yards on 16 of 23 through the air. Wilson, on the other hand, made his Steelers debut in the team’s Aug. 17 contest vs. Buffalo. He notched 47 yards on eight completed passes.
.@minakimes said she would go with Justin Fields over Russell Wilson right now in the Steelers QB battle ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Rt3mIpdFmt
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 19, 2024
Pittsburgh will face the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts in its first four contests this season. If the team plays well enough, it can emerge victorious in each test to start its season.
Still, given Wilson’s experience, he will likely suit up as the starting quarterback entering Week 1. The title, however, does not guarantee him the job throughout the remainder of the season.
Neither head coach Mike Tomlin nor offensive coordinator Arthur Smith have yet to name a starting quarterback before the Sept. 8 match in Atlanta. Pittsburgh will play one more preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 24.