NFL
Did Russell Wilson secure the first quarterback spot with the Steelers?
Maybe the most anticipated decision before the season started arrived on Thursday: Russell Wilson will be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first play-caller.
One of the most interesting questions before the new NFL season was answered this week: Russell Wilson will be the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin made the final decision and appointed Russell Wilson as the team’s starting quarterback ahead of Justin Fields. But he emphasized that both players will have a chance.
Why Wilson and not Fields?
Wilson and Fields joined the Steelers during the offseason, and Tomlin waited until the last moment to decide which would get the upper hand.
He and his coaches’ personnel decided after training on Wednesday.
Tomlin said he spoke with both quarterbacks before announcing the decision and that it was not easy for him to decide.
In the statement given to ESPN, Tomlin emphasized that while Wilson is the designated starter, specific strategies are being developed to incorporate Fields into the game plan.
While Fields is a decade younger and far more mobile than Wilson, Wilson brings experience, ball security, and a reputation as one of the best big-game quarterbacks of his generation.
Wilson has a much better reputation than Fields. He won a championship with Seattle and has been quite successful during his tenure in Denver over the last two seasons. The Broncos fired him even though they knew they would have to pay him another $80 million.
On the other hand, Justin Fields was the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears last season. However, the team decided to trade him and use the first pick to bring in Caleb Williams.