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Bill Cowher Backs Mike Tomlin’s Decision to Start Russell Wilson

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Jay Glazer revealed on the FOX pregame show that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin went lone ranger in deciding to start quarterback Russell Wilson in Sunday night’s game against the New York Jets.



While former Steelers players Terry Bradshaw, Ben Roethlisberger and Ryan Clark all wanted Justin Fields to remain the starter, in addition to many in the national media, former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher backs Tomlin’s decision to start Wilson. He understands the rationale behind it.

“Well, I think number one, one thing I’ll say that’s taken place there, there’s been total transparency,” Bill Cowher said on CBS’ Sports That Other Pregame Show. “I think, as you can see from Justin Fields’ standpoint, he understands why the decision was made. I think it also goes back to the point that I think coming out of training camp, they felt very good about Russell being the starter. He is back healthy right now, and I think that they, like they said, they got identity on offense, which was they got a good four-minute offense, you can run the ball, play-action, and everything off that.

“They opened it up last week, and I think right now to get Russell to see what the max is and what the top end of this offense is, they want to put him in charge of it. I think you’ll still see a Justin Fields package if things get stale. And you’re right, he hasn’t played in two moths, but at some point, he’s gotta play, OK? And he’s gonna play at home, and he’s gonna go against the New York Jets. I understand their defense. Is there ever a good time? I think they’re very comfortable with this decision. I like the transparency, and I’m OK with it.”

Wilson will start at quarterback for Sunday night’s game against the Jets, but Fields is also expected to play, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It will be Wilson’s season debut after dealing with a lingering calf injury that he suffered in the week leading up to the season opener.

Fields started the Steelers’ first six games of the 2024 season, leading the team to a 4-2 record. He didn’t light it up as a passer, but he was not terrible, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, one interception, and a quarterback rating of 93.9. Heading into Week 7, Fields’ five rushing touchdowns led all quarterbacks.

Unlike Bill Cowher, Bradshaw absolutely ripped Tomlin’s decision to start Fields on the FOX pregame show.

“I totally disagree with this decision by Mike Tomlin, the head coach, I would stay with Fields,” Bradshaw said. “Fields fits this team’s personality. They like to run the football. He’s a big strong running quarterback, athletic enough, but also a guy that can move the football through the air. I don’t understand the move. I know that Wilson came over from Denver. But If Sean Payton, one of the greatest offensive minds in the NFL gives up on a guy that’s thrown 25 touchdowns and six interceptions after 15 games. I’m telling you there’s something wrong with Wilson that I don’t know about, but I know this, in my opinion, Wilson should not be starting today.”

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