Tag: Justin Fields

Wisconsin legend to take first-team reps for Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of Week 7

Wisconsin legend to take first-team reps for Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of Week 7

Former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson will take first-team reps in practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, per the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

After six weeks of Justin Fields under center, it appears as if head coach Mike Tomlin is directing the team’s quarterback focus to NFL veteran Russell Wilson for Week 7 against the New York Jets.

Wilson, who dealt with a nagging calf injury dating back to the beginning of Pittsburgh’s training camp window, is now in consideration to start for the first time as a Steeler.

Fields, meanwhile, has proven to be a respectable replacement under the gun to start the 2024 campaign. Through six appearances, the former Chicago Bear has completed 66.3% of his throws for over 1,100 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. The dynamic playmaker has also rushed 55 times for 231 yards and five touchdowns.

While the Steelers do boast four wins on the season, the offense has yet to look explosive. Aside from last week’s 32-13 thumping against the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh has amassed 20 points or fewer in four games. Fields, who can certainly run, has essentially operated as a game manager.

Still, Wilson is nowhere near the type of player he was when leading the Seattle Seahawks to deep playoff runs nearly a decade ago. In two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Wilson went 11-19 as a starter and missed the playoffs both seasons.

Wilson’s status as Pittsburgh’s starter will certainly stay in the headlines for the entire week. The Steelers take the field next on Sunday, Oct. 20 against the New York Jets.

Steelers’ RB eases tension on Week 7 QB decision in hilarious fashion

Steelers’ RB Cordarrelle Patterson added some much needed humor in response to fan backlash over HC Mike Tomlin’s QB decision for Week 7.

While his performance in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts was spectacular, Steelers’ running back Cordarrelle Patterson’s true gem has been his social media interactions.  Fans were treated to a rather funny courting by Patterson, not once, but twice directed at former Raiders WR Davante Adams to come play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While fans were eagerly anticipating the potential arrival of Adams, many were disappointed on Monday morning to find out that not only had the New York Jets acquired the 31-year old All-Pro receiver, but that Mike Tomlin had all but confirmed Russell Wilson would start over the 4-2 Justin Fields.  To alleviate some of the backlash directed at his current team, Patterson jokingly told the ‘Steel City’ who the real quarterback in Week 7 would be.

 

Patterson has truly added some much needed comedic relief during trying times for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the fans will excitedly wait for his inevitable return from injury.

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Russell Wilson is the best Steelers’ QB and Mike Tomlin knows it

While Justin Fields may be 4-2 on the season, there is great chance the team would be undefeated if Russell Wilson started in all six games.

From trade target Davante Adams eluding Pittsburgh’s grasp, to their AFC North rival seemingly giving up and selling their 2024 season away, this has been a Monday filled with major highs and lows for Steelers fans. However, the hits kept coming, as head coach Mike Tomlin practically confirmed the team would strip QB Justin Fields of his starting duties for the now-healthy Russell Wilson. 

While the decision is polarizing, to say the least, Tomlin made the right call. Fields has done more to lose games for the team than to win them. The former Bears QB’s athleticism has never been in question, but his passing ability has left much to be desired. Under Fields, the team’s passing attack has struggled heavily in recent weeks—failing to surpass 300 passing yards and recording only two passing touchdowns over two weeks. 

Russell Wilson’s resume is more proven: Super Bowl XLVIII champion, nine-time Pro Bowl selection, 2015 passer rating leader, and 2017 passing touchdown leader. Fields has never thrown more than 17 touchdowns in a season, and Tomlin simply wants what’s best for the team. 

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Around the NFL: Russell Wilson in line to start for the 4-2 Steelers on Sunday

Around the NFL: Russell Wilson in line to start for the 4-2 Steelers on Sunday

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has not taken one snap of NFL action this season due to a lingering calf injury, but that may not be the case for much longer. On Tuesday it was reported Wilson is going to take first team reps at practice this week, paving the way for him to get the start on Sunday Night Football at home this weekend.

The Steelers are hosting the New York Jets in prime time, who just came off a 23-20 loss on Monday Night Football to the Buffalo Bills. If Wilson does start, it will be another edition of his longstanding rivalry against Aaron Rodgers.

Making a quarterback change like this is certainly unusual. Pittsburgh is 4-2, and while backup Justin Fields hasn’t exactly wowed anyone with eyepopping statistics, he also has not played terribly either. Fields has been doing just enough to not lose games, allowing the Steelers’ elite defense to close out games.

But, like I said, Fields isn’t playing like a Pro Bowler. Pittsburgh is ekeing out close victories, but there is a lot to be desired from their offense. Perhaps Wilson can help provide a spark to the Steelers on his side of the ball, to where they don’t have to keep grinding out nail-biting wins.

It has been a rough few years for Wilson. If he is going to find a way to resurrect his career, he is going to need an opportunity to play. Now, it seems he will get it.

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Steelers playing with fire in their quarterback competition

Is Pittsburgh making a mistake if they start Russell Wilson?

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin opened up a big can of worms at his Tuesday press conference this week. Tomlin didn’t come right out and say Russell Wilson is planning to start this week against the New York Jets but he left the door open for it in a big way.

According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the Steelers plan to give Wilson first-team reps in practice this week. No mention of whether or not Wilson will get all of the reps or if it will be a split between Wilson and Justin Fields but if Wilson is healthy, the odds are Tomlin is leaning toward starting him Sunday night against the New York Jets.

If the Steelers go to Wilson now, there might be no going back. Fields has done everything asked of him and has the team at 4-2. Bench him now and if Wilson struggles, what is the benefit? And how would Fields respond if he’s put back into the starting lineup? This whole thing feels like a dangerous situation that could completely blow up in the Steelers face if it doesn’t work.

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AFC North News: Steelers set to make a change at QB position

The Steelers plan to give Russell Wilson first-team reps in practice this week, putting him in line to make his season debut and start Sunday night against the Jets

The Steelers are 4-2, tied atop the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens. Even with the early regular season success, head coach Mike Tomlin appears set to make a change at the quarterback position.

Tom Pelissero reports that Russell Wilson will get first-team reps in practice this week, putting him in line to start against the New York Jets on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Fields only threw for only 145 yards in the Steelers’ 32-13 win over the Raiders on Sunday, opening up the door for Wilson to add a downfield passing aspect to a team currently being led by its top-ranked defensive unit.

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Steelers’ legendary QB supports Justin Fields remaining as starter

Ben Roethlisberger recently spoke on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, about Justin Fields remaining the starter.

Justin Fields appears to be making friends and supporters in all the right places. Two-time Super Bowl champion, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, believes that the only stat Pittsburgh should hold Fields accountable for is the win-loss record. 

While Fields posted his worst passer rating of the 2024 season in Week 6, the Steelers’ young QB made up for it with his athletic prowess—11 rushes for 59 yards and two rushing touchdowns. 

Roethlisberger spoke highly of Fields’ ability to keep the Steelers winning, talking about what he does right on his podcast, Footballin With Ben Roethlisberger: “What he did with his arm, what he did with his legs, I thought was really, really impressive.” He also added that it would take around two awful turnovers to give the starting duties back to Russell Wilson. 

Is Roethlisberger correct in his assessment, or should the defense truly be credited as the reason for Pittsburgh’s success? Only time will tell, but the former 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Wilson, may push Fields to reach even higher levels. 

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Justin Fields has to stay the starter in Pittsburgh

Justin Fields is the only reasonable answer at quarterback for the Steelers.

Going into Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to leave Justin Fields at the starting quarterback spot despite Russell Wilson being back to full health. This move proved to be the right call as Fields got his fourth win of the season and made a strong case that he has to remain the starter for the foreseeable future.

Fields threw for only 145 yards but in this scheme that isn’t what it’s all about. Fields is taking care of the football, not turning it over and when the opportunity presents itself, uses his overwhelming athleticism to balance things out.

For the game, Fields accounted for 204 total yards and his two rushing scores were the difference in the game.

At this point, until the Steelers offensive line improves and can show more consistency, Pittsburgh cannot turn to Wilson. Wilson is a much better passer but without Fields’ ability to improvise and run, he’s going to take a beating.

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Surprising player is the Steelers best offseason addition

The Steelers added several new players this offseason who have had significant impacts on the team.

The success of the Pittsburgh Steelers this season has been due in large part to a great number of new additions to the roster. A case could be made for several players both in free agency and via the NFL draft who have been the best addition of the offseason but for us, the signing of safety DeShon Elliott ranks at the top.

Elliott has proven to be an excellent addition to a defense that’s been in need of a more versatile safety next to Minkah Fitzpatrick for several years. Elliott is adept at working in the box as a run defender but is fearless in coverage as well.

On the season, Elliott has 27 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery and three passes defended. According to Pro Football Focus, Elliott has an overall grade of 81.7 on the season. This ranks seventh-best in the NFL. His run defense grade of 91.3 is tops among safeties.

Of course we could talk about quarterback Justin Fields as a huge addition as well but it’s hard to diminish what Elliott has meant to this defense.

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Pittsburgh ignored their Wilsons in the Week 6 victory

The Steelers have once again ignored their talented Wilsons. The team could benefit from having Russell and Roman Wilson on the field.

It was theorized a few weeks ago that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loyalty to specific players was holding Russell and Roman Wilson back from succeeding. Last week, George Pickens stated that his lack of snaps in Week 5 was a decision made by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Smith used WR Van Jefferson more often in that game, but where does this leave room for rookie WR Roman Wilson? He finally got his chance to debut in Week 6, yet was only used on five offensive snaps, while receivers Pickens, Jefferson, Austin, and Miller combined for over 126. 

Russell Wilson’s potential being wasted is something fans of the ‘Steel City’ have become accustomed to in recent weeks. QB Justin Fields didn’t outright beat Wilson for the position and hasn’t directly won Pittsburgh a game with his passing, yet Wilson remains the QB2. Fans have mixed reactions to Fields’ performance in Week 6, even though it was statistically his worst game of the season. Hopefully, Pittsburgh will utilize their pair of Wilsons more often moving forward.  

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