The Pittsburgh Steelers have been searching for their next franchise quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 NFL season. The organization immediately drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and that experiment clearly didn't work out as he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles after just two seasons in Pittsburgh. The Steelers also signed Russell Wilson for the 2024 season just before dealing away Pickett, but it's been Justin Fields that has led Pittsburgh to a 3-0 record in 2024.
Fields ultimately lost the quarterback competition to Wilson at the end of preseason, but Wilson's calf injury popped up again, which has allowed Fields to take the reigns of the offense. He has been playing well and the team has yet to lose, and as each week goes by, it seems less and less likely that Wilson will be the starter once he returns to full health. Roethlisberger spoke about Fields' performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in the most recent episode of his podcast, Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger.
"I thought today was like, okay, if this is the guy [Fields] that we're going to get - this might be the guy of the future. It might be the guy of the future, I'm just being honest. He's showing, he did it with his legs, he did it with his arm, he took chances today. He protected the ball. What I saw today was a guy that I thought showed a lot, and showed growth and showed poise against a defense that I think was top five in every category."
This is high praise for Fields from the long-time quarterback in Pittsburgh. This isn't the first time that Roethlisberger has come out in favor of the quarterback. Following Pittsburgh's Week 2 win against the Denver Broncos, Roethlisberger made a bold statement and said that he would continue to start Fields even if Wilson returns to full health. The fourth-year quarterback is proving Roethlisberger right after the way he performed against the Chargers.
Fields isn't at the top of the NFL leaderboards when it comes to passing yards or touchdowns, but he has been what the Steelers need him to be. He has protected the football for the most part, and has been one of the more efficient passers in the league to start the 2024 season. Fields did turn the ball over for the first time in the 2024 season on a tipped pass that bounced off several players' hands that eventually turned into an interception.
The quarterback has improved in each of his three starts with the Steelers to begin the 2024 season, and he still has room to grow. He utilized the middle of the field more in Week 3, and delivered a 55-yard touchdown strike to Calvin Austin III. He also used his legs to score in the first half, which is something the Steelers haven't had at quarterback in a long time.
Steelers Need To Consider Longevity When Handling Their Quarterback Situation
There hasn't really been much of a decision for Head Coach Mike Tomlin when it comes to naming a starting quarterback so far in the regular season. Wilson just hasn't been available, and he has barely been able to practice. Eventually, the veteran will return to full health, and then there will be some drama regarding who the starting quarterback will be for the Steelers.
When the time comes, Pittsburgh must commit to Fields being the starting quarterback. Wilson is on the tail-end of his career, and is limited outside of the pocket. Fields is still just 25-years old, and he is a serious threat in the running game. Despite only being under contract for the 2024 season, he could be the quarterback in Pittsburgh for years to come. It's crucial that the Steelers stick with him for the remainder of the season.
