The Pittsburgh Steelers went from having one of the NFL’s worst quarterback situations last season to facing a conundrum this season that is wildly fascinating, if nothing else.
The Steelers signed Russell Wilson, who had been released by the Denver Broncos, and acquired Justin Fields in a pre-draft trade with the Chicago Bears. Wilson figures to be Pittsburgh’s starter to open the new campaign, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Fields took over at some point in 2024.
In fact, former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum is “bullish” on Fields, a 2021 first-round pick who showed flashes of being a legitimate dual-threat quarterback in Chicago before the Bears hitched their wagon to Caleb Williams this offseason.
“I’d say by Halloween,” Tannenbaum said Monday on ESPN’s “Get Up” of when Fields might become Chicago’s QB1. “Because again, if it’s close, the Steelers make more good decisions than bad ones, and they know because of the age that Fields’ career could (go up) under (offensive coordinator) Arthur Smith. I’m very bullish on Justin Fields long term.
” … I lived it in New York. When you play two quarterbacks, you don’t really have one. And I think the sooner they can establish one quarterback — and again, hopefully it’s Fields, for them — the better they are. Give Russell Wilson credit, but I’m sure they’re thinking, ‘Boy, this guy’s a caretaker on a one-year deal. We’ve got to find our quarterback for the future and hopefully it’s Fields.’ “
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Fields is entering his fourth NFL season at age 25. Wilson, meanwhile, is entering his 13th season and turns 36 in November.
The latter, obviously, is more accomplished, with nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring to his credit. But Fields carries more long-term upside at this point, and it might behoove the Steelers to see if he can lead the offense for the foreseeable future, if Wilson trips up early in 2024.
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