The Pittsburgh Steelers are considering Justin Fields as a serious contender for the starting quarterback position, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. While Fields is seen as needing to improve his performance to surpass Russell Wilson, the team remains open-minded about his potential to earn the starting spot.
Graziano emphasizes that the Steelers’ lack of substantial financial investment in either quarterback indicates that there is no bias favoring one over the other.
Currently, the Steelers are paying Russell Wilson a base salary of $1.21 million, while Justin Fields will make $1.62 million next season. The team’s lack of prior connections to either player and their minimal financial commitment to both quarterbacks suggest that the competition for the starting role is genuinely open. Graziano assures that the Steelers’ open competition stance should be taken seriously.
Fields has been taking more reps with the first-team offense due to Wilson’s limited participation in training camp caused by a calf injury. This situation allows Fields to work closely with the new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, which could be crucial for the team to gauge his potential. Smith’s evaluation will be integral in understanding how well Fields might fit within the team’s system.
Smith has acknowledged that while Wilson brings a wealth of experience from his 13 NFL seasons, Fields is at a different stage in his career, being a more recent and less proven commodity.
Smith noted that both quarterbacks have had significant moments in their careers, but evaluating their fit for the Steelers involves more than just looking at past performance; it’s about fitting into the big picture of the team’s future.
Despite Wilson initially having the advantage due to his extensive experience, head coach Mike Tomlin has emphasized that the competition is open. Fields’ opportunity has been amplified due to Wilson’s injury, potentially giving the younger quarterback a better chance to prove himself.
The Steelers will need to wait for Wilson’s full return to training camp to make a complete assessment of which quarterback will best fit Smith’s offensive scheme.
