The Pittsburgh Steelers have been on a quest for their next franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement. The transition hasn't been smooth, but this offseason, the Steelers glimpsed a potential solution. They began by signing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth the minimum. Following this, they traded away Kenny Pickett and acquired Justin Fields.
With Pickett's era over, the debate over who would lead the Steelers' offense in 2024 was intense. Wilson, with his nine Pro Bowls and Super Bowl ring, seemed like the ideal choice. Fields, on the other hand, was viewed as a potential future star who could benefit from Wilson’s experience. However, the situation took a turn when Wilson sustained a calf injury.
Wilson’s calf injury has sidelined him for several weeks, missing some time in training camp and two regular season games. With Wilson's status uncertain, Fields is likely to remain the starter. This unexpected development has led the Steelers to develop significant confidence in Fields. NFL insider Albert Breer shared insights into the situation during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday, revealing that the Steelers are increasingly optimistic about Fields as their quarterback.
"They love Justin Fields personally," Breer said. "I can tell you that they really like coaching him. They really like working with him. He is a Steeler, you know what I mean? And I know that sounds weird for a guy who's been there for six months, but he really kind of has the makeup and the demeanor of a Pittsburgh Steeler, so he's fit in really well."
The Steelers' new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, has a proven track record of elevating struggling quarterbacks. During his tenure with the Tennessee Titans, Smith transformed Ryan Tannehill from an underperforming player into a rising star. After Smith’s departure, Tannehill’s performance declined, underscoring just how instrumental Smith was in his development.
"Has he played at an A-plus level? No. Arthur Smith worked with Ryan Tannehill and basically resurrected Ryan Tannehill's career in Tennessee. I think that they feel like Arthur and his staff feel like they could even do more with Justin Fields than they did with Ryan Tannehill, and they got to an AFC Championship Game with Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee."
In his two years under Smith’s guidance, Tannehill threw for 55 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. Fields finds himself in a unique situation. Although his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears were underwhelming, they showcased his immense raw potential. While Fields hasn't yet been an all-star in his initial games with the Steelers, he has done what was required and avoided costly interceptions.
In his three games with the Steelers, Fields has led the team to victories in all of their outings. He has completed 73.3% of his passes, accumulated 518 passing yards, and thrown two touchdowns. Additionally, Fields has demonstrated his dangerous mobility, making him a challenging quarterback for defenses to prepare against.
Steelers' Justin Fields Gaining Momentum In The Steel City
The Steelers haven't asked Fields to do too much, but when called upon, he has delivered. He's made some impressive throws and has performed admirably so far. The team's handling of Wilson's calf injury and his eventual return to the starting lineup will be intriguing.
Fields has seized the opportunity presented by Wilson's injury, and some are beginning to question whether he might remain the starter even when Wilson is fully healthy. The quarterback situation in the Steel City continues to evolve and remains captivating.
