Alan’s Steelers Mailbag: Chances Justin Fields Starts, LB Depth, Freiermuth Extension Soon?
Alan's Steelers Mailbag is back, answering questions about Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, Pat Freiermuth, the linebackers and more.
It’s here, the first opening of the Steelers Now Steelers Mailbag for the 2024 season. Let’s clear out the cobwebs from the offseason, dust off what’s inside, and see if we can have some fun along the way while answering your questions about the Black and Gold. We’ll start with a trio of questions about the Steelers starting quarterback battle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Nick Hayes: What’s the reality that Justin Fields actually starts week 1?
The same odds as Russell Wilson getting hurt between now and then.
Tyler Hernley: Barring injury, what kind of performance from Russ would it take to see Fields take over?
I think you’d have to see something like a 1-3 start with well below average quarterback play. Even if he isn’t great, I’d be surprised if Mike Tomlin makes a move if the team is winning. With the early schedule as easy as it is, I don’t think it’s very likely you’ll see a lot Fields early on.
Pirates.com leadoff hitter Alex Stumpf: Will Justin Fields actually contribute in any facet or did we hear about the backup quarterback for five months again just because it’s easy content?
I have a hard time believing that we’re seeing as much quarterback run being put into this offense that the intention is for 35-year-old Russell Wilson to be running all of it. Right now, the focus has been on getting both quarterbacks comfortable and familiar with the offense. I think eventually, we’re going to see more of a Justin Fields package put in.
Eric Cole: Last year energy so high with how kp8 played in preseason. What can we expect this year with qb uncertainty and a young o-line that will be good one day but will it be this year?
Let me ease your uncertainty about the quarterback play. Russell Wilson is going to start and he’s probably going to be very, very average. That will be a good bit better than Kenny Pickett ended up being last year.
The young offensive line might not be better than the players they’ll be replacing in Week 1, but they have the benefit of a soft early schedule, and at least the Steelers will be going through growing pains with the guys they want here for the long haul, instead of being dragged down by failing stop-gaps.
Jason Thomas: Any chance the Steelers sign Warren or Muth before the season starts?
Matthew Bashioum: Is it unreasonable with this group of WRs that Pat Freiermuth will be #2 in receptions in A. Smith’s offense?
I believe that a deal is largely done between the Steelers and Pat Freiermuth, but that the Brandon Aiyuk trade talks may have held up the proceedings. I think Cam Heyward is in the same boat. I haven’t heard any rumblings about Jaylen Warren, but I think it makes a lot of sense for the Steelers to try to extend him this offseason.
If he stays healthy, I expect Pat Freiermuth to be second on the team in targets, and unless they significantly add to the wide receiver corps, it wouldn’t surprise me if Jaylen Warren is third.
Trent Ging: Outside of [Ryan] Watts, are there any other long shots you see making the team?
In my latest Steelers 53-man roster projection, Watts was the only payer that I would call a long shot that I included. Of the ones that were close, I’d say fullback Jack Colletto is probably the one with the clearest path to making the team. The hamstring injury that will likely keep him out this week was really poor timing for Jonathan Ward, who I thought was charging hard for a roster spot. Otherwise, I think the surprises on this roster cut-down day are going to come the other way. The Steelers have too many good players in a number of spots, and there are going to be some familiar faces left on the cutting room floor.
Ben Cohen: Have you noticed any changes in the quality and purpose of prospects this new updated FO has brought in? I’m seeing people like Logan Lee/Watts be drafted in the late rounds with specific plans in place.
To me, the changes are more evident at the top of the draft classes than the bottom. The Steelers last five first-round picks under Kevin Colbert: Quarterback, running back, traded for a free safety, traded up for an off-ball linebacker, strong safety.
That’s miserable positional value, even if they all turned out to be good players, and they went about 2.5 out of 5 in finding good players, to boot. The bottom of the draft is a crap shoot. If Khan’s look good right now, it’s probably mostly random.
There is one trend that interests me. They’ve taken a bunch of risks on players with injury concerns. Darnell Washington, Cory Trice and Payton Wilson all fell down boards because teams were worried about their durability. It seems like the Steelers have decided philosophically to take the better player and not worry as much about their injury history.
Zachary Larimer: I’m curious about the energy around the team. Feels like a lot of guys with something to prove, whether it be a contract year, another chance at starting over, or a lack of playoff success. Is any of that palpable from a perspective of someone covering the team multiple seasons?
I think every football team is optimistic this time of year, but I think the biggest difference in energy I’ve noticed is that the offensive players seem a lot more enthusiastic about the scheme and their roles in it. Arthur Smith is a very good communicator, and I think he’s gotten a lot more buy-in than Matt Canada ever did.
Seth Fike: When Roman Wilson comes back, where does Calvin fit? Size of a slot guy but seems to play well outside.
I’d need to see Roman Wilson be better than Calvin Austin III before I’d worry about what to do with Austin, but I think he can play inside and outside in this offense. The stacks and bunches make it a lot easier to scheme up free releases.
Darren Evans: How many linebackers and which make the team?
John G: How do you feel about the inside linebackers and the depth with camp being wrapped up?
This is the best group of Steelers linebackers I’ve ever covered, and it’s not close. Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts are a fantastic duo, Payton Wilson has incredible tools, they still have Cole Holcomb waiting in the wings, and Mark Robinson and Tyler Matakevich are solid special teamers. Even rookie UDFA Jacoby Windmon has looked good.
I had five linebackers on my latest 53-projection, with Queen, Roberts, Wilson, Robinson and Matakevich on the active roster while Holcomb starts the season on the PUP list. The question is what happens when he comes back. I’m not sure.
Steelers Pundit: In your opinion, how long until Ben Roethlisberger has some sort of role in the organization?
I would be pretty surprised if he ever has any kind of football-based role in the organization. Those jobs take a ton of work, travel and time away from your family, and he seems to be enjoying being able to do his podcast while he’s a dad and a husband every night. He certainly doesn’t need the money. Maybe he’ll take a more active role in charity or alumni events, though. That doesn’t require the same level of time commitment.
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OK, folks. That’s a wrap. You had lots of questions, so maybe we’ll do this again soon!
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