Steelers Tabbed with Second-Worst QB Situation in NFL
Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation is the second-worst in the NFL. Only the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback room of Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell were deemed worse.
“While we argued for the Steelers to choose the 25-year-old Fields over the 35-year-old Wilson, neither Pittsburgh option was exactly inspiring,” Robinson wrote. “Even if you believe Fields offers more upside thanks to his age and rushing ability, he’s been abysmal as a pure passer. Over the last three years, Fields ranks 28th in passer rating and 29th in adjusted net yards per attempt.”
These are the teams with the worst QB situations in the NFL. 😬
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Mike Tomlin named Russell Wilson as the team’s starting quarterback after Wednesday’s practice, which was pretty much a foregone conclusion. The Steelers offensive didn’t light up the scoreboard in the preseason, but they did show signs of progress in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, as Wilson and Justin Fields both orchestrated touchdown drives.
I think there are legitimate concerns about the Steelers’ quarterbacks — as well as the offensive line and wide receiver corps — but I’m not sure if Wilson/Fields are the second-worst quarterback situation in the NFL. Are they really worse than Daniel Jones/Tommy Devito, Bryce Young/Andy Dalton, Derek Carr/Jake Haener, and Will Levis/Mason Rudolph? I don’t think so.
“Wilson is the safer choice for conservative Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin,” Robinson wrote. “Fields shined during training camp practices but repeatedly made mistakes in Pittsburgh’s preseason games. He fumbled two snaps and took two sacks in Week 1, then lost another snap and absorbed two more sacks in Week 3. Neither passer is a perfect fit for new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme, which emphasizes play action and throws over the middle.”
Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph combined for 13 touchdown passes last year, which is absolutely abysmal. Wilson had a 26/8 touchdown-interception ratio last year in Denver. There’s an upside with Fields, as he’s one of the best running quarterbacks in the NFL. It’s hard to think that the Steelers did not upgrade the quarterback position this offseason. Will it translate into a successful season, and more importantly playoff success? Time will tell.
“Betting on Wilson or Fields to improve in 2024 is probably a fool’s errand. The only good wager on Pittsbugh’s QB room? That Wilson and Fields will both make starts this season,” Robinson wrote.
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