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 stated. “It was a tough determination, however not tough in a damaging method.”
It is not 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 title of dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields, as a substitute.
In March, the Steelers traded for Fields, the No. 11 total choose in 2021, and plenty of have already imagined him because the workforce’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 the whole lot else continues to be “on the desk” for him by way of bundle 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 palms, 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’ probabilities. Wilson says he is all for no matter helps them win.
“I believe that, clearly, Justin’s capability to seek out the tip zone, through the years, I have been capable of rating a variety of touchdowns, him as effectively,” Wilson stated. “Pay attention, no matter it takes to seek out one other landing in there. It is all the time factor.”
If Pittsburgh chooses to make the most of Fields’ athleticism and has success doing so, do not count on the workforce to show to him, nonetheless.
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 all the time 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 subject was actually thrilling.”
All quotations obtained firsthand until in any other case famous.
