In this transcript, the speaker delves into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation, particularly focusing on Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. He begins by addressing the criticism surrounding his delay in discussing the Dallas Cowboys and then shifts attention to the current state of the Steelers.
The speaker notes that since the departure of Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have struggled at the quarterback position but consistently maintained one of the best defenses in the NFL. This offseason, the Steelers took a gamble by signing Russell Wilson to a veteran minimum contract and trading for Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears. Fields, still only 25, is seen as a promising quarterback who could either learn behind Wilson or eventually take over as the starter.
During training camp, Fields took advantage of Wilson’s injury and impressed the coaching staff with accurate throws and strong performances. Fans began to wonder if Fields should start over Wilson. Over the first six games of the season, Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record, thanks in large part to the team’s strong defense. However, the speaker acknowledges that Fields has also shown improvement, completing 66% of his passes and ranking highly in advanced metrics like expected points added (EPA).
Despite Fields’ success, there remains a quarterback competition in Pittsburgh. Head coach Mike Tomlin has yet to officially name Fields the starter, and Russell Wilson could still return to the starting lineup once fully healthy. This situation has led to debates among fans and analysts about who should lead the Steelers moving forward.
The transcript also touches on the challenges the Steelers face with their star wide receiver, George Pickens, who has shown frustration with his role in the offense. The speaker highlights the disconnect between Pickens and Fields during recent games, suggesting that this could be a factor in the decision to potentially bring Wilson back as the starter.
In conclusion, while Fields has shown growth and helped the Steelers to a solid start, the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position persists. The team will need to decide whether to stick with the young, developing Fields or give the experienced Wilson another shot to lead the offense.