Pittsburgh (AP) — Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-2 and tied with Baltimore for first place in the AFC North, Justin Fields seemed content with being benched in favour of Russell Wilson. Although Fields, a fourth-year quarterback, is aware that he made some progress as Wilson recovered from a bothersome calf ailment, he is unsure if his play convinced head coach Mike Tomlin that Fields need to stay the starter even once Wilson fully recovers. If I’m being honest with you, Fields didn’t believe he played well enough on Thursday. If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t think there would be any hierarchy of “who should be playing, who shouldn’t” if I could play well enough.
All signs point to the 35-year-old Wilson making his Pittsburgh debut, even though Tomlin has refrained from naming a starter for the Steelers’ visit from the New York Jets (4-2), who will play Sunday night. Fields, a nine-time Pro Bowler, has played extensively with the first team this week, and in a significant departure from the norm this season, he spoke before Thursday practice rather than after. Tomlin hinted that Fields and the Steelers had both been “really good at times” in the first
Fields has only turned the ball over three times (one interception, two fumbles) in spite of accounting for ten touchdowns (five passing, five rushing). However, Wilson’s accuracy has decreased over the last two weeks, and Tomlin seems ready to see what Wilson might be able to offer with a tough second-half schedule coming up following the team’s early November bye week. Both Tomlin and Arthur Smith, the team’s first-year offensive coordinator, have made it a point to compliment Fields at almost every opportunity. Tomlin has constantly praised Fields’ toughness, while Smith has marvelled at the 25-year-old’s maturity. Smith has pointed to Fields’ tendency to blame himself despite a very good play that wasn’t always spectacular as proof of Fields’ selflessness. That’s real, which is why I believe you enjoy working with Justin, Smith remarked. “He wasn’t just told to say that by some TV personality or someone else.” When questioned about the emotional toll of Wilson’s impending demotion, Fields, whom the Steelers acquired in a trade with Chicago only days after Wilson signed a one-year contract, shrugged his shoulders.
He declared, “I’m just going to do my job.” “And whether it’s playing, it’s supporting the guys by telling them what I see on the sidelines, or assisting Russ if he’s out there.” Wilson and Fields seem to have remained friendly throughout the procedure. Fields has been respectful of Wilson’s position as the guy with the “pole position” on the starting roster since the day both players arrived, as evidenced by Wilson’s audible cheers during Fields’ sprint to the end zone against the Raiders.
Nevertheless, it illustrates the peculiar situation in which the Steelers find themselves. For instance, Tomlin claimed that “stats are often for losers” at his press conference on Tuesday. It’s c
omfort food for after a (loss) and has previously stated that quarterbacks and coaches are only as good as their record. Pittsburgh has started 4-2 for the second time in a row. The offence was essentially in the same place a year ago. Even though Kenny Pickett was in his first complete season as a starter and points were valuable, there was no discussion about switching. Tomlin noted that this time around, the factors are very different. Wilson’s CV was not one of the backup quarterbacks that Pittsburgh had at the time, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, but they were committed to Pickett as the team’s quarterback. C
onversely, Wilson and Fields may both be unrestricted free agents in the spring of 2019. Allowing Wilson to participate would at least allow Tomlin to assess his future prospects with both players. When asked if he thought Fields’ confidence would be damaged if Wilson was selected over the Jets, Smith’s response revealed something about the unusual situation the Steelers are in. Smith stated, “He’s 4-2.” “He’s produced a good amount.” Apparently not productive enough to continue playing the game, though. For the time being, however.