The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in the throes of a debate over who should man the quarterback position as the season opener draws near. With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields vying for the starting spot, seasoned coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick have weighed in, suggesting the decision might not be as daunting as it appears to the casual observer.
Quarterback Dynamics
According to Bill Cowher, the strategy moving forward should be straightforward: “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.”
Despite Wilson's maintained dominance over Fields in the preseason, neither quarterback has managed to lead a drive culminating in a touchdown. This shared inefficiency can be largely attributed to the lackluster performance of the offensive line.
Offensive Line Woes
Indeed, the offensive line has been a particular point of concern. Key offensive lineman Troy Fautanu has been sidelined due to injury, which has unquestionably hampered the unit’s effectiveness. Bill Belichick remarked, “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.”
Fautanu, who has been out for over a week, is expected to return for Week 1, which could provide a much-needed boost to the offensive line. This unit's ability to protect their quarterback and facilitate a productive running game remains paramount for the Steelers' overall success.
Emerging Talents
While these issues present immediate challenges, the team has also seen promise in several of its new recruits. Newcomer Zach Frazier, despite being a rookie, has shown great promise as Pittsburgh’s starting center. However, both he and fellow rookie Mason McCormick will require more experience to make significant impacts this season.
Belichick also pointed out, “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.”
Historical Context
To draw a parallel from the past, Mike Tomczak was the starting quarterback over Kordell Stewart in the 1996 season. Tomczak led the Steelers to a 10-6 record, although the team ultimately fell in the divisional round of the playoffs that year. This decision demonstrates that the Steelers have navigated quarterback controversies successfully before, and there is reason to believe they can do so again.
As Coach Mike Tomlin continues with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, it remains crucial for the Steelers to resolve their offensive line issues. The ability of the offensive line to protect Wilson and jumpstart the running game will be critical determinants of the team’s performance as they head into the season.
Ultimately, while the quarterback debate garners much of the spotlight, it’s the offensive line's cohesion that may very well define the Steelers’ journey this season. The experts believe that addressing these foundational issues will pave the way for the quarterbacks to thrive when it matters most.