The Pittsburgh Steelers still haven't named a starting quarterback for Week 7, but the popular belief is that Justin Fields will sit in favor of the debuting Russell Wilson despite having led the team to a 4-2 record. While the argument persists, Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw shared who he believes should be the franchise's signal-caller moving forward.
Speaking with TMZ on Thursday, Bradshaw responded, "Yes, absolutely," when asked if Fields should remain the Steelers' starter.
"He's played well enough to keep the job, in my opinion," Bradshaw said Thursday. "I'm going to hang my hat with the young guy. I'm gonna stay with Fields. He's such a great athlete — I think he fits the team they have now."
Fields hasn't lit up the stat sheet, throwing for only 1,106 yards through six weeks. According to insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that's a big reason why Wilson will get the nod over Fields when ready, adding that it "was always going to be this way."
However, while Fields hasn't amassed large yardage totals, he's been remarkably efficient through the air, throwing five touchdowns to only one interception while competing 66.3 percent of his passes. Meanwhile, he's added 231 rushing yards (55 carries) and five scores on the ground, a skill set that has many, like Bradshaw, believing he should remain the starter.
Greg Cosell, a longtime analyst for NFL Films, shared a similar sentiment on a recent edition of the "Ross Tucker Podcast." He admitted that Fields hasn't been perfect but highlighted the fourth-year quarterback's improvements in awareness and coverage recognition while pointing out his rushing ability as reasons why he should play over Wilson.
"They want to be a physical running football team — probably the way they have to play, regardless of who is at quarterback," Cosell said. "Fields gives you that dimension in the run game that Wilson does not."
Regardless of what the plan may have been at the start of the season, the Steelers are winning with Fields leading the charge. Whether that changes with Wilson as the starter remains unclear, but it's a risk Pittsburgh and head coach Mike Tomlin are seemingly willing to take.
