The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a critical juncture as they debate their quarterback options for the upcoming season. With the veteran pairing of Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick offering their insights, the choice may not be as difficult as it appears to outsiders. Russell Wilson, a seasoned and proven player, continues to dominate the race over the younger Justin Fields.
The Quarterback Conundrum
Despite Wilson's lead in the quarterback battle, neither he nor Fields has managed to lead a touchdown drive during preseason play. This inefficiency largely stems from a subpar performance by the offensive line, underscoring the importance of this unit to the team's overall success. Veteran coach Bill Cowher believes handling Wilson and Fields correctly is key to unlock their potential.
"You start the season with Russell. If Justin Fields starts as the second guy, have a package of plays. If all of a sudden you need a spark -- something to get your offense going again -- put [Fields] in. If you have to take Russell out, he’s been there before. It’s not going to destroy his confidence. I don’t want to start Justin Fields and then feel like I have to make a change and take him out. Limit the expectations on Justin Fields. Let him be Justin Fields," Cowher commented.
Challenges on the Offensive Line
The offensive line has struggled with consistency, posing a significant hurdle for the Steelers. Key offensive lineman Troy Fautanu, who has been absent for over a week due to an injury, is expected to return by Week 1. His absence has exposed weaknesses in the line, making it difficult for Wilson and Fields to execute successful drives. Meanwhile, Broderick Jones and Dan Moore Jr. have been manning the right and left tackle positions, respectively. The rookie center, Zach Frazier, also exhibits potential but requires more experience to stabilize the line.
Belichick offers his perspective on the matter, noting that the offensive line's performance is more critical than the quarterback position itself. "I think they have bigger problems than the quarterback position. That’s my opinion. I think that the defense is a pretty solid unit. The offensive line had a hard time being consistent. They lost the tackle [Troy Fautanu]. Now they’ve got [Broderick] Jones over there playing right tackle. Dan [Moore Jr.] is playing left tackle. Inside they have a rookie center, [Zach] Frazier. He’s got a way to go. The guards, they’ve had some issues, too, in the first two preseason games," Belichick observed.
The Path Forward
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin appears to be sticking with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback heading into the regular season. This decision is influenced by seasoned opinions and the need to establish stability as the team addresses its offensive line challenges. "Arthur [Smith] is a great fit for that offense -- for what Coach Tomlin wants. They need to get the running game going. They have good backs. They need to get those backs started. Russell's good out of the pocket. He’ll be able to hit those play action and passes," Belichick added, pointing to the importance of a balanced offensive strategy.
Experts agree that resolving the offensive line issues is crucial for any quarterback's success. Protecting the quarterback and establishing a productive running game are fundamental for the Steelers as they strategize for the season. If the line can improve its performance, it will take pressure off Wilson and Fields, allowing them to capitalize on their respective strengths.
Rookie Mason McCormick is another lineman to watch. Although he shows promise, he needs more time to develop before he can make a significant impact. The imminent return of Fautanu is anticipated to bolster the line's capability, providing a much-needed boost to an otherwise struggling unit.
The Steelers' historical context offers some perspective: in 1996, Mike Tomczak started over Kordell Stewart and led the team to a commendable 10-6 record before falling in the divisional round of the playoffs. Current coach Mike Tomlin may be drawing on such precedents as he navigates the team's current challenges.
With the start of the season approaching, all eyes are on how the Steelers will adapt and overcome their offensive line difficulties. Their decisions in the coming weeks will be crucial, determining not just the starting quarterback but potentially the trajectory of their entire season.