Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson were seen warming up ahead of their upcoming NFL game.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin attempted some strategic gamesmanship prior to the Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets. On Friday, October 18, he mentioned being ready to announce the starting quarterback, but said, “I’m just going to keep that in-house.”
However, Steelers wide receiver George Pickens seemed to inadvertently reveal the decision. While speaking with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, he said, “Yeah, getting on the same page after practice throwing – more than usual because this is his [Russell Wilson’s] first start.”
This slip-up, as noted by Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor, undermined Tomlin’s attempt at secrecy.
The Steelers’ QB decision holds both positive and negative implications for the Jets. Pittsburgh has gone 4-2 in their first six games with Justin Fields as the starter. Fields, though not stellar, has been an effective game manager with notable mobility, helping the team secure wins.
Russell Wilson, on the other hand, was initially expected to be the starting quarterback after taking the lead in the offseason.
However, a calf injury sidelined him, allowing Fields to take over. Wilson, who hasn’t played in 10 months after being benched by the Broncos, is set to return now, though he may show signs of rust. His superior passing skills, however, could challenge the Jets’ defense.
One reason for the change is to elevate Pittsburgh’s offensive potential, a perspective Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot discussed earlier this week.
As for the Jets, their defense has been the core of their success in recent years. However, with the recent trade bringing superstar wide receiver Davante Adams from the Raiders, there’s a new focus on the offense.
Pittsburgh has averaged 20.7 points per game this season, a figure inflated by a 32-point outing against the Raiders. Excluding that game, they’ve averaged 18.4 points per contest.
Now, the challenge is whether the Jets can not only rely on their defense but also generate enough offense to outscore opponents—a critical factor in this new era of Jets football led by their MVP quarterback.
