Ex-NFL Quarterback Thinks Steelers Should Use Russell Wilson as Trade Value

For the first time this year, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) does not have an injury designation. He’s expected to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Justin Fields on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

With Wilson healthy, a decision for Mike Tomlin to name a starting quarterback is looming. Probably as early as next week. Fields’ performance against the Raiders could decide his fate as the starter. Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton thinks a decision secretly has already been made and it does not include Wilson being QB1. That’s why he thinks the Steelers should trade the nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion.

“Honestly, use Russell Wilson as trade value,” Newton said on ESPN’s First Take on Friday. “The fact that Miami Dolphins haven’t reached out to Pittsburgh is beyond me, especially with the specific situation at this particular point in time. I know we’ve seen enough in Pittsburgh to really crown Justin Fields, and they’ve said it without really saying it. The whole morale of the team, guys are fighting for him. They’re playing for him. And I don’t know, it’s probably too deep for Russell Wilson at the end of the day.”

Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he would have to sign off on a deal first. The Miami Dolphins have been heavily linked to Wilson since they don’t have a reliable quarterback now with Tua Tagovailoa out indefinitely after suffering a fourth concussion in two years.

Fields has played better in Pittsburgh, completing 67.6% of his passes, compared to his previous career high of 61.4%. His passer rating is 97.1, compared to a previous career high of 86.3, and his career adjusted net yards per attempt is at 6.22, compared to a previous career high of 5.29.

He took a step back in last Sunday night’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, however, completing 55.6% of his passes for only 131 yards. Pittsburgh also currently ranks 23rd in yards per game, 27th in passing yards per game and 26th in scoring. They’re not necessarily lighting it up with Fields at quarterback.

Tomlin announced after practice on Friday that Fields will continue to be the starting quarterback. Tomlin thinks Wilson has to knock off some of the rust after missing five games. Wilson has been dealing with a lingering calf injury since the start of training camp. He re-injured his calf at the Thursday practice prior to the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

“I thought he had a good week,” Tomlin said of Wilson. “He’s proven his health, now it’s just a matter of knocking the rust off. He’s probably going to be active as the No. 2 quarterback. I like what I’ve seen out here. Health and rust are two different things. I thought he had a good week displaying his heath, his ability to protect himself. Now it’s just a process of getting re-acclimated to the ball.”

Wilson’s mobility could be the one thing that’s holding him back. He looked pretty agile at practice on Thursday, but doing it in a game is a whole different story.

“I think the biggest thing, just to be honest with you guys, is being able to run well,” Wilson said.

“I was able to do a lot more this week. I was excited to get back out there and be a full participant. All the reps and everything else. That was great. It just got better from the first day to today.”