Steelers fans declare Russell Wilson QB1 ahead of Justin Fields after final preseason game | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors
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It looks like Russell Wilson will be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starter in Week 1 ahead of Justin Fields.
The veteran quarterback only played in the opening series of the team’s final preseason game against the Detroit Lions, where he completed 2 of 2 passes for 26 yards and led the team to a touchdown drive.
But the fact that head coach Mike Tomlin only used him for one series – and Wilson didn’t drop the proverbial ball in that brief appearance – led a number of experts and fans alike to believe that the competition for the quarterback position was already decided in his favor:
Steelers Expert @Subscribe
This game is perfect for those of us who want #Steelers Fans and national media should shut up about the current quarterback situation and just let things take their natural course.
Russell Wilson is our starter until he isn’t. Until then, Justin Fields is the best backup in the NFL. #Let’s go
Fields himself was solid, completing 3 of 4 aerial throws for 40 yards while also running twice for four yards. In total, he had three drives and led the Steelers to a touchdown, although he also took two sacks and again had a fumble snap.
Whether this error was his or the center’s was debatable, as it looked like the ball was passed to him before he asked for it. Regardless, it was a problem for Fields in the preseason.
That’s not to say Fields has no defenders, though. Some fans are calling for him to be named the starter, while others want to see him at least in some role even if he doesn’t get the job:
Jo3yy @BlitzzBurrgh
Justin Fields has to be QB1… and he will be once the Steelers O-Line takes care of Russ…
So around week 5 or 6. #Let’s go
The question currently doesn’t seem to be who will start the season at the top of the leaderboard. Wilson was awarded pole position in the competition and appears to have held on to it.
The real question is how much room he will have if he struggles early on. Wilson’s time in Denver has not gone well at all, and there are serious doubts as to whether his best days as a football player are long behind him.
Fields lurks behind that, although his tendency to hold the ball too long, make mistakes, and take too many sacks often stymied his potential to make big plays during his time in Chicago. Given his scrambling skills, his potential is high, but for now, it looks like the Steelers will go with the more established option in Wilson.
