On Wednesday, the Steelers formally named Russell Wilson their beginning quarterback heading into Week 1.
“I met with each quarterbacks right here just some minutes in the past after apply and I knowledgeable them that Russ is QB1 going into Week 1,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “It was a troublesome choice, however not troublesome in a unfavorable approach.”
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 title of dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields, as an alternative.
In March, the Steelers traded for Fields, the No. 11 total decide in 2021, and lots of have already imagined him because the group’s franchise quarterback for the following decade.
Whereas that is not how issues will begin out for the 25-year-old in Pittsburgh, Tomlin says all the things else remains to be “on the desk” for him when it comes to 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 arms, 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 skill to seek out the top zone, over time, I have been in a position to rating lots of touchdowns, him as properly,” Wilson said. “Pay attention, no matter it takes to seek out one other landing in there. It is at all times a great factor.”
If Pittsburgh chooses to make the most of Fields’ athleticism and has success doing so, do not count on the group to show to him, nevertheless.
Tomlin is “not apprehensive 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 everyday, 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.
