The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly plan to use Justin Fields even if Russell Wilson wins the starting quarterback job.
“I’ve talked to multiple teams now who expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to get a little weird at the goal line with Justin Fields, maybe have a package or two for him ready to go where he can be a runner or a thrower out of the shotgun,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said during Sunday’s SportsCenter.
“Remember, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, when he was with the Tennessee Titans, used Derrick Henry in that way as a runner and thrower out of the shotgun.
So, Fields with his quarterback background can certainly handle that.”
Fowler also said that Wilson is “the guy” for now, but Fields—who head coach Mike Tomlin “loves”—presents a running threat that the 35-year-old doesn’t at this point of his career.
There’s no doubt Fields’ athleticism can give Pittsburgh various play-calling options that aren’t available for other quarterbacks.
He ran for 657 yards and four touchdowns last season on the Chicago Bears after an incredible 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in 2022.
Pittsburgh will surely figure out a way to use him, but the real question is whether he will eventually take over the starting role if he finds success with these different looks.
While Tomlin said Wilson “is in pole position” last month, there is a significant age difference between the veteran and 25-year-old Fields.
If the Steelers get off to an inconsistent start, they may want to see what they have in Fields before his scheduled free agency next summer.
He is far more likely to be the quarterback of the future than Wilson at this point, and that may necessitate a switch at some point during the 2024 campaign.
