Russell Wilson makes his Steelers preseason debut, and the offense goes nowhere with him

If there actually is a quarterback competitors for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it ought to nonetheless be large open after Saturday night time.

Russell Wilson received his first preseason motion with the Steelers after he was held out final week. The offense struggled with Wilson within the sport.

The Steelers had 4 punts and a missed discipline objective on Wilson’s 5 drives on Saturday towards the Buffalo Payments. Justin Fields took over proper earlier than the two-minute warning of the primary half. Wilson completed 8-of-10 for 47 yards, and plenty of these yards got here on three third-down passes that had been nicely wanting first downs. It wasn’t a reasonably outing.

Wilson took a few third-down sacks. One challenge Wilson had with the Broncos was holding the ball too lengthy and taking too many sacks. That may frustrate the Steelers workers if it continues there. Each sacks ruined drives and led to punts. By way of the Steelers’ first 4 drives they’d 12 web yards, one first down, 4 punts and didn’t get previous their very own 34-yard line.

Fields takes too many sacks as nicely, however he can not less than make up for it by scrambling for giant positive aspects. That was once a giant a part of Wilson’s sport, however it has diminished with age.

Fields instantly confirmed off his dashing skill to get the Steelers their first factors. Within the closing minute of the half he scrambled for 20 yards. After a 5-yard completion, Chris Boswell hit a 43-yard discipline objective. That ended up being Pittsburgh’s solely rating in a 9-3 loss.

Fields had seven straight completions and the offense appeared to have a greater tempo with him within the sport. It wasn’t excellent, however it appeared higher than when Wilson was within the sport. We’ll see if that issues in any respect to the Steelers’ teaching workers with only one preseason sport to go. Fields was 11 of 17 for 92 yards and likewise had 42 yards dashing. Each he and Wilson received 5 drives.

One play received the Steelers crowd going. Fields was wrapped up for a sack, one way or the other received out, adjusted his helmet as he rolled left and hit Dez Fitzpatrick for 19 yards on the sideline. That was the Steelers’ most enjoyable offensive play of the night time.

Within the preseason opener, Wilson sat out as a result of a calf damage suffered early in coaching camp. Fields performed pretty nicely however a few fumbled snaps overshadowed his optimistic performs. The offense not less than moved a bit in that sport.

The Steelers did little or no towards the Payments’ protection with Wilson within the sport. Wilson was content material to verify it down too usually, or he took sacks. Thrice on third-and-long he hit a brief go that ended up wanting the first-down marker.

After an interception by Steelers security Miles Killebrew, the offense confirmed just a little life, however not sufficient. Wilson hit Van Jefferson for an 11-yard achieve on third-and-2. A deep go down the sideline to George Pickens was virtually hauled in however he was simply out of bounds. On third down, it was one other go wanting the sticks, however that one received Boswell in higher place for a discipline objective. Boswell missed it although, hitting it off the upright.

Wilson has been the favourite to begin since he signed with the Steelers. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin has known as it a contest however all indicators have pointed to Wilson being the Week 1 starter. That is not an thrilling proposition after what we noticed in Wilson’s first preseason snaps for the Steelers.