FBR: Fields struggling in shorts

[wab]

I think the only reason Russ starts is if the Steelers are doing him a solid as a vet. Give him 3-4 games since he's a borderline HOF player and see if he gets it together. If not, you go right to Fields for the rest of the season (barring injury).

[Shadow]

I am rooting for JF2 to beat out over cooked Russ.
I really want that 4th round Steelers pick. Way Pitt looks it will be equal to a late 3 as they are going to suck this year.

[wab]

I am rooting for JF2 to beat out over cooked Russ.
I really want that 4th round Steelers pick. Way Pitt looks it will be equal to a late 3 as they are going to suck this year.

Yeah they kind of have that top 5 pick vibe to them.

[southdakbearfan]

I am rooting for JF2 to beat out over cooked Russ.
I really want that 4th round Steelers pick. Way Pitt looks it will be equal to a late 3 as they are going to suck this year.

Yeah they kind of have that top 5 pick vibe to them.

Nah, the Steelers are to well coached to hit top 5. They made the playoffs with terrible qb play last season. I see no reason that Russ and or Fields won’t be a step up for them this year.

[wab]

Yeah they kind of have that top 5 pick vibe to them.

Nah, the Steelers are to well coached to hit top 5. They made the playoffs with terrible qb play last season. I see no reason that Russ and or Fields won’t be a step up for them this year.

They are well coached, but their defense is aging and the OL is kind of a mess.

[southdakbearfan]

Nah, the Steelers are to well coached to hit top 5. They made the playoffs with terrible qb play last season. I see no reason that Russ and or Fields won’t be a step up for them this year.

They are well coached, but their defense is aging and the OL is kind of a mess.

Oline sucks, running qb check.

[HurricaneBear]

I'm not betting against Tomlin until I see it. You could have said the same things about that team last year. The QB situation was even worse. Tomlin still didn't have a losing season.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Justin Fields: I've shown 'what I can do' to be Steelers' starting quarterback

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has not yet named his team's Week 1 starting quarterback.

In Justin Fields' mind, he's shown the Steelers he's capable of handling the job.

"I think I've shown what I can do," Fields said on Thursday, per ESPN.com. "I think the time that I did have with the (first-team offense) practicing in training camp, I think that went well. I think we grew a lot each and every day, but at the end of the day, it's not up to me."

The decision is Tomlin's, and at least entering training camp, Russell Wilson was the clubhouse leader for the job. Wilson missing two weeks of camp with a calf injury opened the door for Fields to get his shot.

Since then, Wilson and Fields have split first-team reps in practice. Wilson started the second preseason game against the Bills and is set to start against the Lions this Saturday. Fields also is expected to play, but Fields wouldn't handicap the QB battle or clarify how he'll try to win the job.

"I try to not think about stuff that I can't control," Fields said of competing with Wilson. "I try to just think about the stuff that I can control, so I can't control whether or not I'm going to be named the starter. I can control how I come in every day, how I work every day and how I treat my teammates and every day."
...

Tomlin said he wants to see more of Fields' practice field execution making its way into the Steelers' games.

"I want to see (Fields) show some of the things that we've seen out here in the practice setting," Tomlin said. "Much like I've talked about the offensive unit, we've had some really good days (in practice) and shown a really high floor with the potential for splash plays, and so I want to see it in the stadium."
...

Full article: https://www.nfl.com/news/justin-fields- ... uarterback

Interesting that Wilson and Fields have been splitting first team reps in practice and that Tomlin still hasn't named a Week 1 starter. It sounds like Fields is in with a shot if he plays well and outperforms Wilson in this last preseason game. Even if he doesn't I imagine Wilson will be on pretty thin ice. If he gets off to a slow start he could well get pulled and Fields given his chance.

It's encouraging for us Bears fans who would like that pick to go from Round 6 to Round 4.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Doesn't look like much has changed.

He's still holding the ball too long. His footwork isn't always sound. He's making bad reads on read options.

He has great arm strength. He still makes great plays with his legs.

Based on that last game he doesn't look ready to start. Wilson hasn't been doing great either though. A lot may hinge on this upcoming final preseason game.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Steelers' Mike Tomlin not ready to make QB decision, says it will come 'at the end of the work week'
...

In the wake of the Steelers' final preseason game Saturday, a 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that he was not ready to announce a starting quarterback, and that the decision as to whether Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will lead the team will be made "at the end of the work week."

"We've got three days of Steelers versus Steelers work and why not do it then?" Tomlin said of his reasoning for the extended waiting period. "It kind of minimizes the Steelers versus Steelers work when we start making decisions prior to the completion of that. We've got ample time to prepare for Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements regarding divisional labor or pecking orders and so forth.

"And so, we will do it at the end of the work week."
...

With the preseason complete, Wilson's final stats stand at 10-for-12 passing for 73 yards in two games played after returning from his calf injury. Fields was 19 for 27 for 199 yards in three outings. Neither had a passing touchdown or an interception.
...

Full article: https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-mike- ... -work-week

Wilson's started the last two preseason games and Fields has done nothing to take the role away from him so I suspect he'll got the nod. He'll be on a short leash though and if he doesn't start well I can see Tomlin deciding to give Fields a shot. The problem is Fields seems to still have all the same flaws and shortcomings he had in Chicago. His one advantage over Wilson is the plays he can make with his legs. Hopefully that will be enough for him to end up playing the majority of the snaps over the course of the season.

[Rusty Trombagent]

historically i think the "if you have 2 quarterbacks you have none" adage applies here. you're installing a completely new offense and you're still pussy footing around who the starter is a week before the regular season?

god i hope those days are over for us.

[Atkins&Rebel]

Everyone knows that Russ is starting.
Everyone knows that both Russ and Fields blow.
Making Atlanta have to prepare for both doesn't really help the Steelers much, but Tomlin can say that he did everything in his power to help his team.

[HurricaneBear]

This was never a competition. Wilson was always the starter. Us Fields fans, myself included, we were all wrong about him. Sucks but we have Caleb now. If we don't have a 4th then so be it.

[Moriarty]

Wilson's started the last two preseason games and Fields has done nothing to take the role away from him so I suspect he'll got the nod. He'll be on a short leash though and if he doesn't start well I can see Tomlin deciding to give Fields a shot.

That's certainly the way they ought to be looking at it.
Hopefully Wilson tires them out by Game 8 and grants us that little boost. Unless Fields gets himself broken, running around in a panic.

[Rusty Trombagent]

I agree with the Russ thing being the starter, but they're splitting practice reps with the 1's. New offensive coordinator with a new system, new pieces on the offensive line, a bunch of new wr's... if the bears were say doing this with we'd all be justified in being cranky.

[dplank]

I agree with the Russ thing being the starter, but they're splitting practice reps with the 1's. New offensive coordinator with a new system, new pieces on the offensive line, a bunch of new wr's... if the bears were say doing this with we'd all be justified in being cranky.

Yep. Seems like an effective way to make sure both fail

[Rusty Trombagent]

I agree with the Russ thing being the starter, but they're splitting practice reps with the 1's. New offensive coordinator with a new system, new pieces on the offensive line, a bunch of new wr's... if the bears were say doing this with we'd all be justified in being cranky.

Yep. Seems like an effective way to make sure both fail

we are extremely familiar with this!

[wab]

Yep. Seems like an effective way to make sure both fail

we are extremely familiar with this!

It's from the Cade McNown Path to Success Handbook.

[HurricaneBear]

Maybe the Fields trade will bring with it all of Chicagos QB woes to Pittsburgh while granting us 50(? Feels like they've been good forever)years of success like Pittsburgh has had?

[Moriarty]

https://www.aol.com/russell-wilson-beat ... 29895.html

Wilson starts the season

[HisRoyalSweetness]

To no-one's surprise, Tomlin's chosen Wilson to start the season over Fields.

I sat through one of JT O'Sullivan's breakdowns yesterday of Fields in a preseason game. It was really bad. If anything the flaws he had in Chicago seem to have been magnified. He was almost always out of sync with the timing of the offense, didn't throw the ball when windows were open (sometimes wide open by NFL standards) and even when he did complete passes he was usually late resulting in dangerous or contested catches. He also kept dropping his eyes and bailing at the first hint of pressure even when the line was actually holding up and sliding or stepping up in the pocket was all that was needed. Even on read option runs he was making the wrong read, seemingly unable to differentiate between a DE sliding square on down the line (surfing) to the tackle rather than crashing down. O'Sullivan kept reiterating that Fields makes even the simple plays more difficult than they should be.

That there was even a competition says more about Wilson than Fields. Based on what I saw I can't envision Fields playing 51% of the snaps. Even if Wilson gets hurt he may struggle to hold onto the starting job.

Anyone hoping for that R4 pick should let it go. The chances of it happening look remote.

[LacertineForest]

To no-one's surprise, Tomlin's chosen Wilson to start the season over Fields.

I sat through one of JT O'Sullivan's breakdowns yesterday of Fields in a preseason game. It was really bad. If anything the flaws he had in Chicago seem to have been magnified. He was almost always out of sync with the timing of the offense, didn't throw the ball when windows were open (sometimes wide open by NFL standards) and even when he did complete passes he was usually late resulting in dangerous or contested catches. He also kept dropping his eyes and bailing at the first hint of pressure even when the line was actually holding up and sliding or stepping up in the pocket was all that was needed. Even on read option runs he was making the wrong read, seemingly unable to differentiate between a DE sliding square on down the line (surfing) to the tackle rather than crashing down. O'Sullivan kept reiterating that Fields makes even the simple plays more difficult than they should be.

That there was even a competition says more about Wilson than Fields. Based on what I saw I can't envision Fields playing 51% of the snaps. Even if Wilson gets hurt he may struggle to hold onto the starting job.

Anyone hoping for that R4 pick should let it go. The chances of it happening look remote.

I think if the Steelers get off to a slow start, offensively, Russ could get the hook pretty quickly. If Fields manages to string together a couple of wins, I could see them rolling with him for awhile. Barring injury, it's harder to turn back to the first guy once you make the move.

Lots of ifs there, but I do still think there's a plausible scenario where the draft pick is elevated.

[dplank]

The thing I don't get is what's the upside for Pittsburgh with Russ? He's old, he's a FA after the year, he's not a guy to build around and they are in a build mode not a win now mode. All the fans I know want Fields, mainly because they want to see what he can do and if he's worth signing to a long term deal or not. They aren't gonna know that without playing him.

[wab]

The thing I don't get is what's the upside for Pittsburgh with Russ? He's old, he's a FA after the year, he's not a guy to build around and they are in a build mode not a win now mode. All the fans I know want Fields, mainly because they want to see what he can do and if he's worth signing to a long term deal or not. They aren't gonna know that without playing him.

I think Fields is the starter by week 6-ish. They'll give Russ a month or so to see what he has, and then will go to Fields either because of injury or to change things up.

[southdakbearfan]

The thing I don't get is what's the upside for Pittsburgh with Russ? He's old, he's a FA after the year, he's not a guy to build around and they are in a build mode not a win now mode. All the fans I know want Fields, mainly because they want to see what he can do and if he's worth signing to a long term deal or not. They aren't gonna know that without playing him.

I think Fields is the starter by week 6-ish. They'll give Russ a month or so to see what he has, and then will go to Fields either because of injury or to change things up.

I agree fields will end up starter. Week 6 to 8.

I would predict neither are on the Steelers next year as well.

[Grizzled]

I see Fields is due a bit more than $3M for 2025 from Pitt. I would think regardless of his performance this year they keep him on. Short of Wilson winning the SB (or having a season for the ages), he'll be gone as they're not going to want to invest significant bucks in him. So Fields could be the 2025 starter.

[HurricaneBear]

I think it's going to have a very similar outcome to Dalton and Fields. Glad it's Pitts problem and not ours.

Maybe they can get Tomlin fired and we can bring him to Chicago

[RichH55]

I see Fields is due a bit more than $3M for 2025 from Pitt. I would think regardless of his performance this year they keep him on. Short of Wilson winning the SB (or having a season for the ages), he'll be gone as they're not going to want to invest significant bucks in him. So Fields could be the 2025 starter.

I do not think this is the case

Pretty sure his contract is up after this season

This is Year 4 for him and his 5th Year Option wasn't picked up

[southdakbearfan]

I see Fields is due a bit more than $3M for 2025 from Pitt. I would think regardless of his performance this year they keep him on. Short of Wilson winning the SB (or having a season for the ages), he'll be gone as they're not going to want to invest significant bucks in him. So Fields could be the 2025 starter.

The Steelers declined his 5th year option, fields is a FA in 25 unless resigned. If they owe him anything they reworked his deal to add void years.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

An interesting development...

Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) limited in practice ahead of season opener vs. Falcons

With three days between now and his first start as a Steeler, Russell Wilson has run into a bit of a speed bump during the week of preparation.

The quarterback was limited in Thursday's session with calf tightness, coach Mike Tomlin told reporters. Tomlin added that Wilson self reported the issue, and he will be further examined.
...

Wilson's limitation Thursday doesn't mean he won't play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, but it does point to a recurring issue, considering he dealt with similar calf problems at the start of camp, opening the door for Fields to make it interesting.
...

Full article: https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-qb-ru ... vs-falcons