Following Russell Wilson’s profitable efficiency this previous Sunday night time, the thought was that Mike Tomlin could lastly be able to formally announce him because the staff’s beginning quarterback shifting ahead.
Pittsburgh’s coach did not try this, although, throughout his weekly press convention, though he did acknowledge that Wilson will put together this week because the staff’s beginning quarterback over Justin Fields, who went 4-2 when Wilson was out with a calf harm.
“He is scheduled to take first-team reps after we start tomorrow,” Tomlin mentioned of Wilson. “We’ll see the place the week leads us.”
When each quarterbacks have been acquired this offseason, the overall thought was that Wilson would begin whereas additionally serving as a mentor for Fields. However the dynamic modified when Wilson injured his calf at first of coaching camp and Fields quickly changed him as QB1. Fields acquired the vast majority of Pittsburgh’s first-team reps throughout coaching camp, the preseason and through the first six weeks of the common season after Wilson aggravated his calf harm.
The dynamic modified once more two weeks in the past, when Wilson break up first-team follow reps with Fields. Wilson then acquired every of the first-team reps final week prior to creating his season debut throughout final Sunday’s 37-15 win over the New York Jets. That course of is predicted to proceed this week.
Fields’ position has undoubtedly modified, as he’ll now obtain second-team reps in follow and will probably be backing up Wilson on sport day barring the surprising occurs. Tomlin, nonetheless, does not need Fields’ mindset to alter though the scenario round him has.
“I simply need Justin to be ready to get able to play, like he is executed,” Tomlin mentioned. “I am refusing to acknowledge no matter modifications you simply acknowledged. We’re constructing a plan to beat the New York Giants this week. We have got two succesful guys. We’re gonna prepared them. They each must be able to work.”
Whereas unorthodox, Tomlin’s choice to not definitively title a beginning quarterback is comprehensible. All through their time as teammates, Fields and Wilson have shared a wholesome stage of competitors. Fields, regardless of the understanding months earlier that Wilson was coming to Pittsburgh with pole positioning, has by no means conceded the job to Wilson and possibly by no means will. In flip, Wilson has publicly acknowledged on quite a few events that Fields has pushed him to be a greater model of himself. It is clear that the competitors is an efficient factor for each gamers.
Tomlin additionally is aware of how shortly issues can change for his staff, particularly on the quarterback place. Wilson could also be QB1 now, however that might very nicely change sooner or later this season. If it does, Tomlin desires to make it possible for his different starting-caliber quarterback is prepared.
Once more, not naming at long-term beginning quarterback shouldn’t be regular. However as Tomlin acknowledged, what the Steelers try to pursue shouldn’t be regular, both. Pittsburgh is attempting to win its document seventh Tremendous Bowl, and the highway to probably doing which will require means and strategies that transcend the norm.