On Wednesday, the Steelers formally named Russell Wilson their beginning quarterback heading into Week 1.
“I met with each quarterbacks right here only a few minutes in the past after observe and I knowledgeable them that Russ is QB1 going into Week 1,” head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned. “It was a tough choice, however not tough in a detrimental method.”
It isn’t a shock Pittsburgh went with the 35-year-old, who has had the “pole place” all offseason and has already raised a Lombardi Trophy in his 12-year NFL profession, however many had hoped to listen to the identify of dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields, as a substitute.
In March, the Steelers traded for Fields, the No. 11 general decide in 2021, and lots of have already imagined him because the crew’s franchise quarterback for the subsequent decade.
Whereas that is not how issues will begin out for the 25-year-old in Pittsburgh, Tomlin says every little thing else continues to be “on the desk” for him by way of package deal soccer.
“Simply attending to know Justin’s capabilities, we prefer it,” Tomlin added. “Make no mistake, his distinctive expertise because it pertains to mobility is one thing we’re open to weaponizing, though I’ve acknowledged that Russ is QB1.”
Fields has confirmed to be a particular expertise with the ball in his fingers, dashing for two,220 yards and 14 touchdowns within the first three years of his younger NFL profession.
So forcing opposing groups to nonetheless put together for each quarterbacks on a weekly foundation will solely assist the Steelers’ possibilities. Wilson says he is all for no matter helps them win.
“I feel that, clearly, Justin’s potential to seek out the tip zone, over time, I have been in a position to rating quite a lot of touchdowns, him as properly,” Wilson mentioned. “Hear, no matter it takes to seek out one other landing in there. It is at all times a superb factor.”
If Pittsburgh chooses to make the most of Fields’ athleticism and has success doing so, do not count on the crew to show to him, nevertheless.
Tomlin is “not fearful about contingency plans” with Wilson because the clear No. 1 quarterback, however that does not imply he is not excited to see what Fields can do for the Steelers in a brand new convention.
“Man, his athleticism is freaky,” Tomlin concluded. “I’ve seen the highlights and issues of that nature however being an AFC coach and issues of that nature, you do not at all times get an opportunity to really feel it or actually take note of it, to see it daily, and to see a number of the issues he is able to doing on a soccer discipline was actually thrilling.”
All quotations obtained firsthand until in any other case famous.
