Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is walking a very delicate line.
Multiple reports indicate that Tomlin is likely going to bench quarterback Justin Fields and start Russell Wilson this weekend against the New York Jets, despite the team being 4-2 with Fields as the starter.
Wilson hasn’t played a down for Pittsburgh since signing with the team during the offseason, while Fields has led the Steelers to a first-place tie with the Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC North.
During a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer revealed there’s a big contingency of those inside the Steelers’ facility that think it’s a mistake to move away from Fields in favor of Wilson.
“Every indication that I’ve gotten is the people in that building love Justin Fields — coaches, players, there are a lot of folks in that facility that do not want Mike Tomlin to go away from Justin Fields right now,” Breer said.
“They feel like Fields is representative of what they are as a team. He helps them in the running game, no he’s not perfect as a passer, but he’s doing plenty, he’s going to keep getting better, and he has improved week-over-week.”
Fields has thrown for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception and added 231 yards rushing and five additional scores. Though he still has room to grow as a passer, Fields’ added ability as a runner has been a big boost for Pittsburgh’s offense.
“There are a ton of people in that place right now that feel like Russell Wilson would limit them on offense in a way that Justin Fields does not,” Breer added. “Which, I think, is a big part of the reason why so many people there just wish that Tomlin would stick with Fields.”
It’s been more than 10 months since Wilson last played a down.
His last game came on Dec. 24 of last year while with the Denver Broncos. He threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-23 loss to the New England Patriots.
