The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback state of affairs is now underneath a microscope. (Picture by Joe … [+]
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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback state of affairs shall be a degree of rivalry transferring ahead after Sunday night time’s exhibiting in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys.
A recreation that was delayed properly over an hour as a consequence of climate in Pittsburgh concluded with the Steelers falling by the rating of 20-17.
Dak Prescott led the Cowboys down the sphere on a game-winning drive that culminated in a landing cross to Jalen Tolbert. This got here after Prescott dedicated three giveaways earlier within the recreation.
Regardless of yielding that 70-yard game-winning landing drive, Pittsburgh’s protection was to not blame for this loss. It was all concerning the lack of offense led by quarterback Justin Fields.
The previous Chicago Bears first-round choose simply didn’t have it in his fifth begin as a member of the Steelers. Fields accomplished 15-of-27 passes for 131 yards with two touchdowns. He added a mere 27 yards on six rush makes an attempt.
This efficiency come amid the doubtless return of fellow quarterback Russell Wilson subsequent week. The free-agent signing missed the primary 5 video games as a consequence of a calf harm he suffered in the course of the summer season. Wilson was surprisingly the emergency No. 3 quarterback Sunday night time after ramping up apply exercise in the course of the week.
Acquired this previous offseason to revamp the Steelers’ quarterback room, Fields and Wilson had been concerned in a coaching camp battle earlier than the latter suffered the aforementioned Calf harm. It led to Fields getting the QB1 job heading into the season.
Quick ahead greater than a month, and the 3-2 Steelers would possibly now be again on the drafting board with regards to this place. Fields had led them to a 3-0 report earlier than struggling throughout their present two-game shedding streak.
Russell Wilson Return Renews Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Competitors
Ought to the Steelers flip to Russell Wilson? (Picture by Justin Berl/Getty Photos)
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The 35-year-old Wilson signed a mere one-year, $1.21 million contract again in March following a failed two-year run with the Denver Broncos. For Pittsburgh, the hope was that he might rekindle his days with the Seattle Seahawks during which Wilson led them to 2 Tremendous Bowl appearances and a Lombardi Trophy.
Clearly, Wilson’s harm impacted issues on this entrance. It led to Fields “incomes” the beginning gig by default. Heading into Week 6 in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders, consideration in Pittsburgh will now flip to what head coach Mike Tomlin has deliberate at quarterback. He has but to offer a sign a technique or one other lower than 24 hours after a second consecutive defeat.
As for Fields, he is aware of full properly that Sunday’s efficiency simply was not sufficient.
“We simply missed pictures and shot ourselves within the foot once more,” Fields instructed reporters, through the Steelers’ official web site. “So I do not assume we’re a type of groups on the lookout for id. I believe we all know who we’re. We’re a crew that predicates on working the soccer and staying on schedule in first and second down after which executing on third down, however we simply did not get the job completed.”
Pittsburgh’s greatest performs on offense had been a 28-yard cross from Fields to George Pickens and a 20-yard display screen to working again Najee Harris. Exterior of that, Fields continued to wrestle getting the ball down the sphere. It’s been a continued challenge for the previous Ohio State star since Chicago made him the No. 11 choose within the 2021 NFL Draft.
From a broader perspective, down and distance performed a job in Pittsburgh’s shortcomings on offense Sunday night time. It transformed on simply 3-of-12 third-down alternatives whereas averaging a mere 4.0 yards per play. That’s simply not going to chop it in right this moment’s NFL.
That is the place Wilson’s doubtless return comes into play. His veteran expertise would change the dynamics with regards to pre-snap penalties, working the down and distance points and discovering higher alternatives on third down.
Pittsburgh Steelers Have No Fast Repair At Quarterback
Pundits can put many of the blame on Fields for Pittsburgh’s efficiency Sunday night time. He’s the quarterback. It comes with the job title.
Nonetheless, there’s much more in play right here. This offense lacks elite skill-position expertise. And when somebody just like the aforementioned Pickens disengages throughout a recreation, that’s magnified additional. The younger large receiver was benched at occasions Sunday night time, which is a transparent indication one thing is simply not proper on that entrance.
“You understand, we simply needed to sort of reduce his reps in an effort to get extra productiveness,” Tomlin mentioned of Pickens after the loss.
Will issues magically change ought to Tomlin decide to start out Wilson over Fields in Week 6? The symptoms above appear to color a skeptical image in that regard.
Wilson got here to Pittsburgh after he was benched late final season in Denver. He has not seemed like a starter-caliber quarterback after departing Seattle following 10 good seasons within the Pacific Northwest. Throughout that two-year run with the Broncos, he put up an 11-19 report with 42 landing passes in 30 video games.
For the Steelers, it’s going to be all about whether or not they consider playoff rivalry is the secret transferring ahead. In that case, beginning a extra seasoned Wilson is smart. If not, going the youth route with the 25-year-old Fields must be within the playing cards.
For now, we wait and see what Tomlin has deliberate. However what I do know is that the established order isn’t working.