For the first time this season, it seems like Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin can no longer avoid making an official decision at quarterback.
Russell Wilson was cleared to back up Justin Fields in Week 6, and with another week of practice, he should be ready to go for Week 7. However, Fields has led the Steelers to a 4-2 record, including a solid rebound performance against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he posted a total QBR of 74.7 out of 100.
Interestingly, despite this being Fields’ top-rated game of the season based on total QBR — not passer rating or yardage — it also resulted in his lowest passer rating of the year.
These mixed signals have been a constant theme throughout Fields’ NFL career, but most of Pittsburgh’s fanbase doesn’t seem to mind. Steelers Depot conducted a fan poll following the Raiders win on October 13, and the results were decisive.
As of Monday, October 14, around 4 p.m. (EST), 78.1% of voters expressed a preference for Fields to remain the starter against the New York Jets. Wilson received only 21.9% of the vote.
With over 3,500 fans participating, this poll isn’t a small sample size.
If Tomlin decides to make a quarterback switch, it’s clear many fans won’t be in favor, making for an intriguing week in Steelers nation.
NFL Analysts Rally Behind Justin Fields as Steelers’ QB1
Alongside Steelers fans, several NFL analysts threw their support behind Fields over Wilson on October 14. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky was among them, speaking on “Get Up.”
“Justin Fields made up for 110 yards of hidden yardage because of that offensive line,” Orlovsky explained. “If you put Russell [Wilson] back there, this team won’t just struggle to win, they’ll struggle to score.”
Orlovsky showed clips of Fields turning likely losses into gains against the Raiders, totaling 110 yards created by his mobility and ability to escape pressure.
Similarly, Damien Woody agreed that starting Wilson behind the current patchwork offensive line would be “a big mistake.” Woody, a former offensive lineman, called the Steelers’ OL “atrocious” and “pathetic” on “Get Up” (via Steelers Depot).
Fox Sports One’s Mark Schlereth even suggested Wilson should “shop himself for a trade,” following reports that the Steelers aren’t looking to deal him.
“This is Justin Fields’ job,” Schlereth said (via Steelers Depot). “He’s one of those guys the team loves playing with. He’s not making mistakes, he’s running the ball. The passing game needs work, but this is his job.”
Lastly, CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden echoed that Fields has earned the starting spot (via Steelers Depot), saying: “When things are going well, why change it?”
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin May Announce Starting QB as Early as Tuesday
It’s unclear if Tomlin will name a starting quarterback during his first media session on Tuesday, October 15, but that will be his initial chance to do so.
The quarterback situation will undoubtedly be the main topic ahead of the Week 7 matchup with the Jets. However, Tomlin may remain vague, as he usually doesn’t officially name a starter until gameday, though Fields has been the only fully healthy option in most recent weeks.
The Jets are set to play tonight, October 14, in Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills.
