Steelers Could Ride the Hot Hand in Justin Fields with 2-0 Start
The Pittsburgh Steelers could stick with Justin Fields as their quarterback if they beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday and start the season 2-0, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It could be a repeat of last year when Mike Tomlin stuck with the hot hand in Mason Rudolph at the end of the season.
“Don’t be surprised if Tomlin continues to have Fields start, sources say, even if (Russell) Wilson has recovered from his aggravated calf injury,” Rapoport said. “It would not necessarily be a benching, but more of a continuation of what is working under center.”
On Tuesday, Tomlin wasn’t into hypotheticals when asked if Russell Wilson would start against Denver if healthy. The Steelers plan to have Fields start not only in Sunday’s game against the Broncos but in the home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, too, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“I’m not going to soothe you with hypothetical scenarios,” Tomlin said. “Our energies and attention are on those that are available and are scheduled to play. When those that are not [get] healthy, we’ll ponder it at that time.”
Former Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson believes if Fields goes 3-0, he will become the starter in Pittsburgh.
“Just being around there last year, I’m telling you, if you the young fella goes 3-0, mark my words: he will be the starter,” Peterson said.
Wilson said on Thursday that he’s not ready to play just yet. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday and it’s very unlikely that he’ll play.
“The first part is the will, I’ve got the will,” he said. “The second part is you’ve got to be able to physically, do pretty much everything. I’m getting there. I also have to listen to the doctors and hear what they have to say and all that. At the end of the day, it’s a team effort trying to figure out what’s the best thing. I’m doing everything I can to go, that’s for sure.”
Fields completed 17 of 23 passes (73.9%) for 156 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 91.9 in Sunday’s 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He also rushed for 57 yards on 14 attempts (4.1 average). Fields had an up-and-down performance, but he completed two deep passes to George Pickens (a 33-yarder and a 40-yarder) that resulted in two Chris Boswell field goals.
Tomlin said “there was a lot of good” from Fields’ in his first start as the Steelers quarterback.
Wilson is not in jeopardy of losing his starting spot unless Fields has an earth-shattering performance against Denver, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Fields might get the home opener to state his case, too.
“Even though Fields is expected to start for the Steelers in Denver, the belief is that Wilson will get the job once he returns from his calf injury,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN wrote. “Pittsburgh believes Wilson’s command of the offense is stronger, and it seems like only an explosive performance from Fields can change the trajectory.”
If Fields plays well in the next two games and the Steelers start 3-0, would Tomlin go back to Wilson? Would he want to break up the chemistry that Fields has built? It might not sit well with Wilson, but it could be what’s best for the team. Depending on how things unfold, there could be a potential quarterback controversy. Fields is not worried about being the starter, however. He just wants to win.
“I have a job and that’s to lead us to a win each and every week,” Fields said on Thursday. “We can have this debate on ‘who’s the starter, who’s not the starter.’ My main job is to go in there and go win the game. As long as I do that, I feel good.”
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