In the preseason finale, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin quickly pulled starting quarterback Russell Wilson after just five plays, during which the first-team offense scored its first touchdown of the preseason.
Tomlin decided to bench Wilson after this successful series to allow backup quarterback Justin Fields to take over and play three series with the first-team offensive line. Tomlin explained that he wanted to see results reflecting the team’s hard work, which Wilson’s opening drive provided, prompting the quick quarterback change.
Justin Fields played well, leading a scoring drive of his own behind the first-team offensive line, though he also experienced some challenges, including a fumbled exchange and a sack. The offensive line remained in for Fields’ first series to ensure he had adequate protection.
Despite some mistakes, Fields contributed to the team’s offensive efforts, connecting with receivers for key gains and setting up a touchdown run by La’Mical Perine.
While Russell Wilson’s limited preseason action and his strong performance in the finale suggest he is the front-runner for the starting quarterback position, Tomlin has yet to make an official announcement.
Tomlin plans to make his decision after the team’s final week of practices, which will focus on Steelers vs. Steelers work. This cautious approach allows the coaching staff to fully assess the players before naming a starter for Week 1.
Wilson’s preseason performance marked a significant improvement from the previous week, where he struggled to convert third downs and failed to lead the team to any points.
This time, Wilson showcased his ability to guide the team to the end zone, with key contributions from rookie center Zach Frazier and running back Cordarrelle Patterson. Wilson noted that the team stayed on schedule and executed better, attributing the success to better planning and fewer restrictions on his play.
Tomlin expressed satisfaction with both Wilson and Fields’ performances, acknowledging that they were able to move the ball and score, which had been lacking earlier in the preseason.
Despite the challenges faced by Fields, including some errors with the offensive line, Tomlin appreciated the progress made by his quarterbacks and the offensive unit as a whole, setting the stage for the final decision on the starting quarterback for the regular season.
