Tag: Justin Fields

Why the Steelers should keep Justin Fields over Russell Wilson

The Pittsburgh Steelers front office and Mike Tomlin have a critical decision to make after the 2024 NFL season comes to a close.

Omar Khan, Art Rooney II and Mike Tomlin have a critical decision to make after the 2024 NFL season comes to a close. I wrote on Monday about why the Pittsburgh Steelers should keep Russell Wilson over Justin Fields. There’s an equally intense case to be made for Fields over Wilson.

Fields presents a compelling choice over veteran Wilson as the Steelers’ front office considers their quarterback options. While Wilson’s experience is impressive, Fields offers distinct advantages that align with the Steelers’ long-term strategy and growth potential.

Justin Fields’ youth and long-term potential

At only 25, Fields has a decade-plus ahead of him, allowing the Steelers to invest in a young quarterback who can evolve within the team’s system. Fields’ age makes him a prime candidate to develop chemistry with younger Steelers players, creating a foundation for sustainable success. With Wilson approaching his 36, his prime years are behind him, while Fields is just beginning to tap into his potential.

Justin Fields’ athleticism and dual-threat ability

Fields is one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks in the modern league. His dual-threat abilities make him a dangerous weapon in passing and rushing, adding a layer of unpredictability that could invigorate the Steelers’ offense. Fields’ skill set aligns with today’s NFL’s evolving nature, where quarterback mobility and versatility are key elements to an offense. His dynamic playing style would give Pittsburgh’s offense a new edge that would be harder to achieve with Wilson’s more traditional approach.

Justin Fields presents a cost-effective option

Financially, Fields is a more cost-effective choice. Should Fields finish his first season with the Steelers riding pine, there’s the backup quarterback label. Wilson’s veteran status and accomplishments could come with a significant price tag. Should Fields agree to stay with Pittsburgh on an affordable deal, it would allow the Steelers to allocate resources to other areas, such as continuing to strengthen their offensive line or adding elite receivers.

Choosing Fields over Wilson isn’t just about the present; it’s a forward-thinking decision. By committing to Fields, the Steelers can position themselves for future success with a talented, versatile young leader ready to define the next era of Pittsburgh football.

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Why the Steelers should keep Russell Wilson over Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stuck to his guns with Russell Wilson, who could be the club’s quarterback in 2025.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise built on a legacy of strong leadership and consistent success, face a decision on which quarterback will lead their team in the coming years. While both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields bring unique talents, keeping Wilson could offer more immediate and sustainable benefits.

Russell Wilson brings experience and leadership

Wilson’s resume speaks for itself. As a Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Wilson has proven he can perform at the highest level and lead a team under pressure. His experience is invaluable for a franchise like the Steelers, who are committed to winning and have a fan base that expects playoff contention each season. Wilson’s presence would stabilize the field and locker room, making him an ideal mentor to younger players and the perfect fit for a team focused on maintaining a winning culture.

Adaptability and consistency for Steelers

Wilson’s play style aligns with the Steelers’ offensive philosophy. Known for his adaptability and clutch performances, he can execute passing and rushing plays effectively, creating a versatile offensive scheme. While talented, Fields is still developing his skills at the pro level and, therefore, lacks the consistency that Wilson has honed over his career. Given the unpredictable nature of the NFL, Wilson’s ability to perform under any circumstance is a crucial asset.

Steelers’ short-term success and long-term growth

While Fields has potential, Wilson’s immediate impact is irrefutable. Keeping Wilson allows the Steelers to continue their pursuit of championships (one thing Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt are without) without the uncertainties of developing a young quarterback. By building around Wilson, the Steelers can maintain a balance of veteran stability while gradually nurturing future talent.

In a league where experience and dependability are essential, the Steelers’ best option is to stick with Russell Wilson over Justin Fields.

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Steelers vs Commanders injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 10

All the latest updates, including QB Justin Fields, on the Pittsburgh Steelers’s injury report ahead of Week 10 game vs. the Commanders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) return from their Week 9 bye and travel to Landover to take on the red-hot Washington Commanders (7-2).

In their last go-round, in 2020, the Commanders played spoiler by defeating the then-11-0 Steelers 23-17. It marked the start of a three-game losing streak, and Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season 1-5, including the playoffs.

Washington leads the head-to-head series 43-33-3 (all regular season).

The Steelers are relatively healthy coming off the bye week, with most injured players practicing at full capacity on Friday.

Here’s a look at the latest full injury and practice participation report:

Steelers injury report

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Justin Fields hamstring FP FP FP –
** WR Ben Skowronek shoulder FP FP FP Questionable
S Terrell Edmunds illness DNP DNP DNP Out
** LB Tyler Matakevich hamstring FP FP FP Questionable
LB Nick Herbig hamstring LP LP DNP Out
C Zach Frazier ankle FP FP FP –
G Isaac Seumalo NIR DNP FP FP –
RB Cordarrelle Patterson ankle FP FP FP –
TE MyCole Pruitt knee – DNP FP –
DT Cameron Heyward NIR – DNP FP –

** in the designated 21-day window to return from injured reserve

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Commanders injury report

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
TE Zach Ertz NIR DNP – – –
CB Marshon Lattimore hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
T Cornelius Lucas ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
K Austin Seibert hip DNP LP LP Questionable
DE Dorance Armstrong shoulder LP LP LP –
C Tyler Biadasz thumb LP FP FP –
DE Clelin Ferrell knee LP DNP LP –
LB Dante Fowler groin LP LP FP –
RB Brian Robinson Jr. hamstring LP LP DNP Out
OL Andrew Wylie shoulder LP LP LP Questionable
CB Noah Igbinoghene thumb FP FP FP –
TE Colson Yankoff hamstring – LP DNP Out

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Nick Herbig injury update

While there was some optimism that Nick Herbig would play after the Steelers’ bye week, he’s now sidelined for his fourth consecutive game with a hamstring injury.

Zach Frazier injury update

The rookie center, who sustained an ankle injury in the Steelers’ Week 6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, has been a full practice participant this week. Frazier said in a Wednesday press conference, “It felt good to be out there. I’ve been rehabbing for a while… It’s just getting back in football shape. Trying to catch back up and then just trust in it again. I tested it. We kind of had some people bullrush me just to feel it.”

Cordarrelle Patterson injury update

The veteran running back and kick returner has been a full practice participant all week and, barring a setback during warm-ups, will play Sunday for the first time since Week 5.

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Steelers vs Commanders injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 10

All the latest updates, including QB Justin Fields, on the Pittsburgh Steelers’s injury report ahead of Week 10 game vs. the Commanders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) return from their Week 9 bye and travel to Landover to take on the red-hot Washington Commanders (7-2).

In their last go-round, in 2020, the Commanders played spoiler by defeating the then-11-0 Steelers 23-17. It marked the start of a three-game losing streak, and Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season 1-5, including the playoffs.

Washington leads the head-to-head series 43-33-3 (all regular season).

The Steelers are relatively healthy coming off the bye week, with most injured players practicing at full capacity on Thursday.

Here’s a look at the latest full injury and practice participation report:

Steelers injury report

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Justin Fields hamstring FP FP
** WR Ben Skowronek shoulder FP FP
S Terrell Edmunds illness DNP DNP
** LB Tyler Matakevich hamstring FP FP
LB Nick Herbig hamstring LP LP
C Zach Frazier ankle FP FP
G Isaac Seumalo NIR DNP FP
RB Cordarrelle Patterson ankle FP
TE MyCole Pruitt knee – DNP
DT Cameron Heyward NIR – DNP

** in the designated 21-day window to return from injured reserve

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Commanders injury report

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
TE Zach Ertz NIR DNP –
CB Marshon Lattimore hamstring DNP DNP
T Cornelius Lucas ankle DNP DNP
K Austin Seibert hip DNP LP
DE Dorance Armstrong shoulder LP LP
C Tyler Biadasz thumb LP FP
DE Clelin Ferrell knee LP DNP
LB Dante Fowler groin LP LP
RB Brian Robinson Jr. hamstring LP LP
OL Andrew Wylie shoulder LP LP
CB Noah Igbinoghene thumb FP FP
TE Colson Yankoff hamstring – LP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Nick Herbig injury update

After missing the last three games with a hamstring injury, Herbig appears ready to go for Sunday’s Commanders matchup. He practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Zach Frazier injury update

The rookie center, who sustained an ankle injury in the Steelers’ Week 6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, has been a full practice participant this week. Frazier said in a Wednesday press conference, “It felt good to be out there. I’ve been rehabbing for a while… It’s just getting back in football shape. Trying to catch back up and then just trust in it again. I tested it. We kind of had some people bullrush me just to feel it.”

MyCole Pruitt injury update

Pruitt, a first-year tight end of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is the newest name on the injury report. He’s been dealing with a knee injury on-and-off for most of the season.

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Steelers vs Commanders injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 10

All the latest updates, including QB Justin Fields, on the Pittsburgh Steelers’s injury report ahead of Week 10 game vs. the Commanders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) return from their Week 9 bye and travel to Landover to take on the red-hot Washington Commanders (7-2).

In their last go-round, in 2020, the Commanders played spoiler by defeating the then-11-0 Steelers 23-17. It marked the start of a three-game losing streak, and Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season 1-5, including the playoffs.

Washington leads the head-to-head series 43-33-3 (all regular season).

The Steelers are relatively healthy coming off the bye week, with most injured players practicing at full capacity on Wednesday.

Here’s a look at the latest full injury and practice participation report:

Steelers injury report

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Justin Fields hamstring FP
** WR Ben Skowronek shoulder FP
S Terrell Edmunds illness DNP
** LB Tyler Matakevich hamstring FP
LB Nick Herbig hamstring LP
C Zach Frazier ankle FP
G Isaac Seumalo NIR DNP
RB Cordarrelle Patterson ankle FP

** in the designated 21-day window to return from injured reserve

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Commanders injury report

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
TE Zach Ertz NIR DNP
CB Marshon Lattimore hamstring DNP
T Cornelius Lucas ankle DNP
K Austin Seibert hip DNP
DE Dorance Armstrong shoulder LP
C Tyler Biadasz thumb LP
DE Clelin Ferrell knee LP
LB Dante Fowler groin LP
RB Brian Robinson Jr. hamstring LP
OL Andrew Wylie shoulder LP
CB Noah Igbinoghene thumb FP
DT Phidarian Mathis concussion FP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury related

Justin Fields injury update

On Wednesday, Steelers backup quarterback Justin Fields (hamstring) was a full practice participant. Whether we’ll see him take any snaps this week is unclear, as Mike Tomlin was his usual vague self, saying on Tuesday, “I would always anticipate seeing that as long as [Fields and Wilson] are on our roster.”

Cordarrelle Patterson injury update

The bye week was good for Cordarelle Patterson, who missed the last four games due to an ankle injury. Before exiting early versus the Indianapolis Colts, Patterson ran well in Jaylen Warren’s place, averaging 7.17 yards per carry on six attempts for 43 yards. Patterson was also 2-for-2 on receptions for 19 yards.

Zach Frazier injury update

The bye week was also a much-needed break for Zach Frazier, who practiced fully on Wednesday. The rookie center was playing at a high level before sustaining an ankle injury in the Steelers’ Week 6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin reveals loose plans for Justin Fields

As long as Justin Fields is on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, expect him to be in consideration for game-time action. 

As long as Justin Fields is on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, expect him to be in consideration for game-time action.

As for whether we’ll see a Fields package in this second half of the season, Mike Tomlin said today, “I would always anticipate seeing that as long as both guys are on our roster.”

A week after Russell Wilson was deemed the starter, Fields popped up on Pittsburgh’s injury report. It’s unknown when he suffered a hamstring injury since Fields wasn’t listed among the players after their final practice.

The Steelers made him the emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Kyle Allen for their Week 8 matchup with the New York Giants. “We didn’t want a small problem to become a big problem,” said Tomlin. “We designated him the third quarterback, but given the bye week and the week that’s ahead of us, we are not imagining that to be a problem.”

As usual, Tomlin said the Steelers would “let participation be our guide” regarding whether Fields will take any snaps versus the Washington Commanders.

There’s far too much talent to leave Fields on the sideline. Pittsburgh needs an injection of his dynamic play-making ability on offense.

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Russell Wilson keeps cooking throughout the Steelers’ bye week

Russell Wilson stays busy during the Steelers’ Week 9 bye with practice, showing his relentless drive and proving he never stops cooking.

Champions are made when no one is watching. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson personifies this attitude, as while many players take time to rest, relax, or enjoy life outside of football during their team’s bye week, Wilson was focused on bettering his game.

Fans of the Steel City were initially hesitant when news broke that Mike Tomlin was benching QB Justin Fields in favor of Wilson, especially after Fields led the team to an impressive 4-2 start. However, Wilson has proven himself with two great back-to-back performances in Weeks 7 and 8, as well as providing the team with a leadership presence that has been sorely missed since former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022.

Wilson wants nothing more than to bring a seventh Super Bowl title to Pittsburgh, and his work ethic should make this long-desired goal a reality. The veteran QB is most likely preparing for the tough stretch of games in the second half of the season, starting with two extremely difficult matchups consecutively: facing the Washington Commanders on the road in Week 10 and hosting the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.

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Mike Tomlin’s plan for Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields is coming together nicely

It may not have been how he initially envisioned it, but Mike Tomlin’s plan for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields is coming together nicely.

It may not have been how he initially envisioned it, but Mike Tomlin‘s plan for his quarterbacks is coming together nicely.

It was a whirlwind dismantling of the quarterback room for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. First, the Steelers released Mitch Trubisky (now back with the Buffalo Bills) on February 12, 2024. Shortly after, the Tennessee Titans signed QB3 Mason Rudolph in free agency. Then, once Kenny Pickett got wind of Justin Fields coming to Pittsburgh, he requested a trade that sent Pickett packing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

It wasn’t long until Pittsburgh’s muddled quarterback picture became clear: Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson was the new signal-caller, and work-in-progress Fields was acquired via trade to back him up.

But Wilson’s calf injury at the onset of training camp threw a wrench in those initial plans. The veteran would miss all but the final two weeks of camp, and in his absence, Fields worked with the first-team offense.

Fields wasn’t spectacular but did enough to (mostly) not lose. The Steelers were 4-2 when Wilson was medically cleared and Tomlin made the decision to go back to Plan A. It was always Wilson’s team; Fields was not intended to be the season-long starter once Wilson was good to go.

Fields took being relegated to backup like the pro he is. And despite a shaky first few drives, Wilson got his act together and has done a nice job with Pittsburgh’s offense.

But for Tomlin’s quarterback plan, it’s been more about what happens on the sideline than on the playing field: Wilson and Fields sitting side-by-side on the bench while the Steelers’ defense wreaks havoc. The two quarterbacks constantly communicate, and Fields is a sponge for it all.

After all, Fields is the future of the franchise. Anything and everything he can take in from his veteran Steelers mentor will only benefit him in 2025.

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Former Wisconsin quarterback leads Steelers to Monday Night Football win

Former Wisconsin quarterback leads Steelers to Monday Night Football win

Former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a win over the New York Giants to close Week 8 of the NFL season.

The former Badger threw for 278 yards and one touchdown in the Steelers’ 26-18 victory. That performance follows his 264-yard, two-touchdown debut as the Steelers starter in Week 7.

Wilson served as a game manager throughout the contest, but he made the most critical plays when it mattered most. In the fourth quarter, Wilson tossed a 29-yard dime to wide receiver Calvin Austin III for Pittsburgh’s first offensive touchdown of the evening.

Outside of that show-stopping play, Wilson also completed a 36-yard pass to Van Jefferson at the end of the third quarter and a 43-yard toss to wide receiver George Pickens in the fourth frame.

While head coach Mike Tomlin’s took a risk in sidelining quarterback Justin Fields in favor of Wilson, it appears to be working in the Steelers’ favor. Through two games, Wilson has thrown for over 500 yards and three touchdowns. Plus, he has yet to throw an interception.

Wilson projects to be at the helm once more when his squad squares off against the Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Is Justin Fields playing today? Injury updates for Steelers QB

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is dealing with a hamstring injury. Here are the latest updates.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 30 minutes away from announcing their game-time decision on whether quarterback Justin Fields will be sidelined or suit up to backup starter Russell Wilson.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier today that sources say Fields’ injury is not major, and he’s not missed practice time.

Justin Fields injury update

On Sunday morning, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor tweeted on X that Fields (hamstring) was added to the injury report as questionable and would be a game-time decision. He was not listed on Saturday’s initial report.

How long will Justin Fields be out?

It would be a surprise if the Steelers included Fields among active players with 60 minutes to spare before their Week 9 bye. If Pittsburgh truly intends to use Fields in limited packages in the future, there’s no sense in starting now and risking further injury.

If Rapoport’s sources are correct that Fields’ injury isn’t currently a major concern, but the Steelers hold him out as a precaution, he should return to his backup role for the Washington Commanders showdown in Week 10.

Steelers QB depth chart

If Fields is inactive and something happens with starter Russell Wilson,  veteran journeyman Kyle Allen take over quarterback duties. There is no fourth option on the Steelers depth chart.

With Fields officially relegated to the backup role before last week’s New York Jets game, there are no immediate implications should Fields be sidelined this week.

The Steelers have a much-needed Week 9 bye for banged-up players to get right before their brutal second-half stretch of opponents.

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