The Pittsburgh Steelers wound up in an unexpected quarterback controversy this season. After 2023, they chose to wipe the slate clean after a tough couple of years with Kenny Pickett. So when they signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields, they hoped to have Wilson start and Fields learn behind him. However, Wilson's lingering calf injury opened the door for Fields to step in and lead the team.
So far, that leadership has been successful. The Steelers are 3-0 heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. That doesn't mean that Fields isn't still learning from Wilson and that doesn't mean that they aren't both having an impact on the team. Recently, Fields joined his new teammate, Cameron Heyward, on his show, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.
Heyward asked Fields about the "quarterback controversy" and wondered how they manage to shut out the outside noise. Fields said that he believes they have both found a way to make the situation work.
"I think from the moment we got here, we've both done a good job balancing the leadership," shared Fields. "We have two different leadership styles. Where Russ is super vocal and always talking, I like to make my rounds, kind of behind the scenes. I try to go talk to the guys individually and see how they feel. Of course, we both know where we come from, and he's been in the league 13 years, so for me personally, I am just trying to learn as much as I can from him."
Fields said Wilson's success in the NFL is indisputable. He led the Seattle Seahawks to two Super Bowls, winning one, and was also selected to nine Pro Bowls -- so he is just trying to soak up all his knowledge from his teammate.
Not everyone thinks about things like how he prepares for games, how he helps his body recover, and his workouts, but those are what has caught the interest of the fourth-year quarterback. Fields admitted that he even snapped a photo of Wilson's call sheet before a game so he could see how he takes notes.
"In terms of him being in the room with me, I love it personally. There's definitely a learning aspect and just how he goes about it every day. Some guys might look at him funny, just how he operates. How he carries himself, day in and day out, it's not fake. You can't knock a person for that, his love for the game, how he approaches each and every day, it's really authentic. I think that inspires me to be better and to push myself."
Fields said that he saw people on X poking fun at Wilson warming up before a game even though he wouldn't play. He said that isn't him looking for attention, he is just always working on getting better.
Is Steelers' Russell Wilson Running His PR Machine?
When Wilson arrived in Pittsburgh, it was amid rumors that he wasn't a good teammate; he was a diva, selfish, and hard to get along with. Since being in the Steel City, it feels like he has shown a different side of himself. While his critics talk about him shaking hands and kissing babies, saying he was putting on airs to get good publicity, Wilson seems genuine.
There has also been concerns that Wilson will "activate his personal media machine" and try to get himself traded out of Pittsburgh. When Wilson is finally fully healed and ready to play, will he be frustrated by not playing if Head Coach Mike Tomlin continues to start Fields?
If Wilson attempts to use that tactic with Tomlin to be traded or to get himself under center, it could backfire in his face. Tomlin loves to say the team "wants volunteers, not hostages" and doesn't take being given ultimatums well.
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