Pittsburgh Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw ripped Mike Tomlin for his decision to start Russell Wilson in Sunday night’s game against the New York Jets. Bradshaw, who’s never shy to share his opinion, just doesn’t understand why Tomlin would bench Fields for Wilson.
Wilson was inactive for the first five games because of a calf injury and served as the No. 2 QB last week. He has barely played this season dating back to the start of training camp. Fields has not been spectacular, but he has 10 touchdowns total (five passing and five rushing) and just one interception.
“I totally disagree with this decision by Mike Tomlin, the head coach, I would stay with Fields,” Terry Bradshaw said on the FOX pregame show. “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.”
"In my opinion, Wilson should not be starting today."
Terry Bradshaw shares his thoughts on the #Steelers starting Russell Wilson over Justin Fields ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TXFVjYEvrU
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 20, 2024
Former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst, Rex Ryan, is also confused by Tomlin’s decision to bench Fields.
“I hate it. You’re going to blame it on this kid? You got a chance to have a franchise quarterback here,” Ryan said on NFL Sunday Countdown this morning.
Jay Glazer revealed on the FOX pregame show that Tomlin went lone ranger in deciding to start Wilson in Sunday night’s game against the Jets.
“I talked to Mike Tomlin about it last night, TB. He said, look, I went Lone Ranger on it,” Glazer said. “TB, you’re not the only one against this. A lot of people inside that organization were, as well. He said look, ‘If it doesn’t work out, I’ll take the heat. I’ll shoulder the blame. No problem.’ He said the reason why I did this, I knew I had two quarterbacks going into camp that are very capable but I wanted to see both of them before I made a long-term decision. Well, I haven’t seen the other one. I want to see at least what I have from him. Exhaust all options and then make a decision down the stretch. He said, ‘I’m not trying to win games, I’m trying to win a world title here. I gotta see what I got in both.’”
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