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Reading Between the Lines: What Mike Tomlin Did, Didn’t Say about Steelers QB Situation

What head coach Mike Tomlin did and didn’t say about the Steelers starting quarterback battle between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.

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Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson HC Mike Tomlin
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Russell Wilson at training camp on July 28, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH โ€” NFL Network has reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to bench Justin Fields and start Russell Wilson at quarterback this week against the New York Jets, in a report timed exactly with the start of head coach Mike Tomlinโ€™s press conference on Tuesday.



At said press conference, Mike Tomlin did not say that Russell Wilson will start this week. NFL Network is not typically wrong about such things. So what gives?

Letโ€™s start with what Tomlin did say. Iโ€™ve highlighted eight things that he either said or very strongly implied.

1) Wilson is healthy. Not just healthy enough to play. But fully, completely healthy.

โ€œHe proved his health last week,โ€ Tomlin said. โ€œHe proved his ability to protect himself, to move appropriately within the pocket, to not be limited schematically in terms of some of the things we are capable of doing or wanted to do. Those things had to happen before we could seriously consider him and his talents and that happened a week ago.โ€

The not being limited schematically part is key there. Remember that in the preseason, when Wilson played, he was asked not to run with the ball at all. That will need to be a part of the Steelers offense, no matter who the quarterback is.

Steelers quarterback Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields runs into the end zone against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 22, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

That being said, 2) Wilson does not run like Fields does.

โ€œNo, he does not,โ€ Tomlin said. โ€œJustinโ€™s legs are an x-factor. โ€ฆ His ability to use his legs, by design and by ad-lib, was a significant component of that game. He rushed for 50-plus yards and two touchdowns in game. Weโ€™re appreciative of that. Weโ€™re appreciative of how heโ€™s taking care of the ball. But weโ€™re just looking at all of the people at our disposal the same way that we do at any position.โ€

So what does that mean for the offense? Tomlin didnโ€™t really say. Obviously, the Steelers canโ€™t call all the same things for Wilson that they could for Fields. Fieldsโ€™ running ability has been a significant part of the offense. So much that Tomlin 3) didnโ€™t rule out the idea of playing both of them.

โ€œCertainly thereโ€™s a scenario,โ€ he said. โ€œThere was a scenario where that could have occurred last week.โ€

Heโ€™s also hinting at something else there. Tomlin didnโ€™t go into last week with a two quarterback plan, clearly. So heโ€™s saying 4) there was a chance Fields could have been benched last week.

Fields 5) has not been particularly good as a thrower. Of all the quarterbacks that won their games this week, he had the fewest passing yards. Heโ€™s currently 22nd in passing and 19th in adjusted net yards per attempt.

โ€œWeโ€™ve been really good at times, but not to be confused with great,โ€ Tomlinโ€™s said. โ€œThis is a competitive league, man. Weโ€™re trying to position ourselves to be that team. Weโ€™ve got a player with talent we havenโ€™t had an opportunity to play, so weโ€™re gonna potentially explore those things.โ€

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at practice on Aug. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

So what now? 6) Both quarterbacks are going to practice this week, and both will work with with the first team.

โ€œBoth guys at the quarterback position are scheduled to work [Wednesday],โ€ Tomlin said. โ€œWeโ€™ll just walk it day by day, all geared toward putting ourselves in best position to win the football game.โ€

When will Tomlin make a decision? Rest assured, 7) heโ€™s in no hurry. Tomlin clearly likes the idea of the Jets having to prepare for both players, calling the potential changes to his offense a โ€œcute part of the discussion.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know,โ€ he said when pressed on when heโ€™ll announce a starter. โ€œCloser to game time.โ€

Bet on Friday after practice. Also, no matter what he decides, 8) itโ€™s not going to be some kind of permanent designation.

โ€œNo, that would not be fair to say,โ€ he said when asked if the winner of the completion this week will remain the starter.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russel Wilson and Justin Fields with QB coach Tom Arth

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russel Wilson and Justin Fields with QB coach Tom Arth at practice on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

What about what went unsaid? Iโ€™ll try these on for size.

Justin Fields has not been good enough to secure the starting quarterback job. Heโ€™s won games, but he has been a mediocre passer, and you canโ€™t go into the postseason in an AFC loaded with quarterback talent and thinking running alone is going to get you there.ย 

The Steelers also arenโ€™t completely sure that Russell Wilson is going to be better. Thereโ€™s no talk of a competition at outside linebacker this week as Alex Highsmith returns from injury to supplant Jeremiah Moon. There wonโ€™t be any conversations about Tyler Matakevich taking over for Patrick Queen when he gets off the IR. If Russ was clearly better, or if he was clearly worse, there would be no competition. It would just be the way it is.

Mike Tomlin does not care about the future. These Steelers are not likely to win a Super Bowl, no matter who plays quarterback. You could make the argument that the best way for them to get in a place to do so in the near future is for Fields to develop into the kind of quarterback that can lead them there. If the future matters, itโ€™s an easy choice. Go with Fields.

But thatโ€™s not what Tomlin is doing. The Steelers have made it pretty clear that theyโ€™re heard the noise from the fanbase, and theyโ€™re trying hard to win a playoff game this year, whether or not they have any realistic chance of winning a Super Bowl. So Tomlin and company are all in on 2024.

Where does that leave us?

It seems likely that Wilson will start this week. It also seems plausible that Fields could have a package of plays, potentially work in the red zone, and that whoever starts will have a fairly tight leash.

RELATED: Has Justin Fields Done Enough to Keep Starting Role? | Steelers Morning Rush

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