As the NFL preseason heats up, it’s clear that pictures sometimes speak louder than words. And boy, did the action in Pittsburgh on Saturday night paint a vivid picture: Justin Fields might just be the quarterback the Steelers need.
Let's cut to the chase about preseason football in August: It’s not exactly the peak of strategic brilliance. Teams are usually just scratching the surface of their playbooks, starters barely see the field, and those roster spots are being filled with players who might not make the final cut. We know the drill.
But if you were watching the game, the contrast was striking. Justin Fields, who took the reins for the final five drives of a 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills, clearly outshined the veteran Russell Wilson, who struggled through the first five drives for Pittsburgh. Under Wilson's command, the Steelers went three-and-out three times, punted four times, and ended with a meager 49 yards. They didn’t score a single point. Wilson’s stats: 47 yards passing, three sacks. Compare that to Fields, who racked up 92 yards passing and 42 yards rushing, though he only managed to put three points on the board.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had some positive words for Fields. “I thought he got better in some areas,” Tomlin said. “He utilized his legs well, whether it was on the fly or otherwise, to keep plays alive.” Yet, there’s more to the story than just the numbers. Remember, both Wilson and Fields are still getting acclimated to new playbooks and teammates—Wilson with the Steelers and Fields after being let go by the Bears.
Wilson’s performance seemed to echo his lackluster seasons with the Denver Broncos—tentative, sticking to short passes, and not extending plays as he used to do so effectively with the Seahawks. Despite claiming his calf injury wasn’t a concern, his performance was underwhelming. Meanwhile, Fields showcased his dual-threat capabilities repeatedly, making smart decisions with his legs and creating better spacing on the field. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme seems like it could benefit from Fields’ athleticism.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick is a fan of Fields, believing his dual-threat ability could elevate the offense as he gets more comfortable with the system. “He has that dual-threat capability that can really take this offense to another level,” Riddick said. However, Fields wasn’t flawless. He missed a potentially game-changing throw to T.J. Luther late in the fourth quarter and failed to convert on fourth down during his last three drives. Still, there were moments where his pass to tight end Connor Heyward, deep in Buffalo territory, could have made a difference if caught.
“We got into the red zone a couple of times,” Fields said. “But I think next week we’re just going to have to turn those drives into points.” His performance showed significant improvement from a week ago when he struggled with center exchanges. But Coach Tomlin was realistic, saying, “Still not what we’re looking for,” in his overall assessment of the team. Tomlin later mentioned the poor protection that both Wilson and Fields had to endure, contributing to the Steelers’ inability to establish a rhythm.
The focus for Tomlin and GM Omar Khan might need to shift. Despite never finishing with a losing record in his 17 seasons, Tomlin’s Steelers have not won a Super Bowl in nearly 16 years, averaged 9.5 wins over the last six seasons, and haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. The 2024 season might see them on the playoff fringe, but few believe this team is ready for a championship run.
Wilson, who’ll turn 36 in November, could keep the Steelers in the nine- or 10-win range this season. But given that he’ll be a free agent after the season, is that the direction Pittsburgh should be heading? Fields, on the other hand, though inconsistent, shows a lot of potential. His athleticism is a clear asset, but he needs to be more decisive in his passing game. With the right coaching from Tomlin and Smith, Fields could harness his skills and contribute significantly to what might be a strong Steelers defense.
If Fields can develop further, he could lead the Steelers to a solid nine- or 10-win season, especially considering the Bears’ struggles last year with fewer weapons. Khan might even consider a lucrative extension for Fields—think along the lines of Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $100 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the flip side, if things go south and the Steelers end up with a disappointing 5-12 record, they might find themselves in a prime position to draft a top quarterback in 2025.
Tomlin, known for keeping his cards close to his chest, wasn’t giving away much after the game. “We’ll meet tomorrow and go through everything in detail,” he said. “That’s just a knee-jerk assessment of some things.” Perhaps a night’s sleep will bring clarity. Given that Tomlin had previously hinted Wilson was in the lead for the starting role, it might be time for Fields to take the spotlight. The potential for a game-changer is there, and it seems like Fields might just be the one to lead the Steelers to a new chapter.
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