The Pittsburgh Steelers made significant moves this offseason by acquiring Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Wilson's training camp was marred by a sore calf injury, which limited his participation and allowed Fields additional opportunities to work with the starters and showcase his potential.
Steeler Nation eagerly anticipated Wilson's debut against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. However, Wilson's performance was underwhelming. He played five drives, managing only one first down and enduring three sacks. With eight completions on 10 attempts for 47 yards, he failed to impress and his struggles mirrored those from his time with the Denver Broncos.
In contrast, Fields had some standout moments despite not leading a touchdown drive and facing his own challenges. Many fans were more impressed with Fields' performance compared to Wilson’s. Steelers insider Mike DeFabo reported that Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith hinted Wilson wasn’t at 100%, suggesting that his limitations contributed to the lackluster showing.
"I give Russ a lot of credit for going out there," Smith said. "I think a lot of guys in that situation may have tapped out. He hadn’t had enough reps. He wanted to go out there."
Smith explained that he limited the playbook schematically to protect Wilson, and noted that Fields received different play calls due to their differing health statuses.
However, Smith emphasized that Wilson wouldn't have played if he hadn't been deemed healthy enough to participate. He clarified that the team would never jeopardize a player’s health but opted to be extra cautious, which might help explain Wilson's disappointing performance.
"There's some things that I didn't call for him that I did call for Justin."
During the Steelers’ game against the Bills, Fields showcased moments of promise, even if he didn’t manage to lead a touchdown drive. He completed 11 of 17 passes for 92 yards and was the team’s leading rusher, amassing 42 yards on eight carries. His performance highlighted his potential to inject dynamism into the offense, suggesting that with him as quarterback, the team might gain a new level of energy.
In stark contrast, Wilson’s performance was underwhelming, echoing the struggles he faced over the past two seasons with the Broncos. Steelers fans are hoping that a change of scenery in Pittsburgh will reignite his previous greatness, but his preseason debut raised concerns about this possibility. If Smith’s comments hold any truth, they might explain why Fields appeared more exciting than Wilson during the game.
One notable play from Fields involved him skillfully evading a sack, scrambling out of the pocket, and connecting with a receiver for a crucial first down. Whether through skill or luck, it was invigorating to see a quarterback extend a play and make something happen with his legs and arm.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Needs To Get Healthy
At 35, Wilson is determined to prove that he still has something to offer after two challenging seasons. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Fields symbolizes the franchise’s future hopes.
Pittsburgh seems to view Wilson as the immediate fix while seeing Fields as the long-term solution. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to watch how this quarterback battle unfolds. For now, the Steelers need Wilson to regain full health to accurately evaluate his performance and impact on the team.
