The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-0 since pulling the plug on Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson. A controversial resolution on the time, Mike Tomlin’s dedication to Russ has been vindicated, towards all odds. All of us held low expectations for Wilson going into the season, however he’s executing Arthur Smith’s scheme at an especially excessive degree.
There may be potential draw back to hitching your wagon to Russ, in fact. For the Steelers, that draw back is primarily rooted in what might have been with Fields. Whereas Wilson has been the superior quarterback this season, he is additionally a decade older. Judging from the present panorama, we will count on the Steelers to re-sign Wilson. That has short-term attraction, however what’s the way forward for the QB place in Pittsburgh?
Fields a minimum of offered a way of official long-term fairness on the quarterback place. Now eligible to bolt in free company, odds are the 25-year-old will go in search of a extra secure alternative subsequent spring. A number of QB-needy groups will probably be desirous about Fields with such a weak quarterback class within the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. For all his struggles up to now, Fields was 4-2 in Pittsburgh earlier than hitting the pine. Faraway from the toxicity of the Chicago Bears group, Fields seems a lot competent.
He performed environment friendly, if not overly explosive soccer earlier than his demotion, providing dual-threat capacity that serves as a real ace within the OC’s again pocket. There simply aren’t too many quarterbacks who can transfer in addition to Fields. Ought to Fields go away in free company, the Steelers could remorse their resolution to financial institution on Wilson’s current contributions whereas sacrificing his counterpart’s future.
Listed below are just a few significantly disastrous potential touchdown spots for Fields subsequent offseason.
Final season was proof optimistic that Shane Steichen would not want a lot to engineer a productive offense. The Indianapolis Colts have been within the thick of the postseason race with Gardner Minshew beginning below heart. Sadly in 2024, Indianapolis has been brief on competent quarterbacking. Anthony Richardson, 10 begins into his profession, was briefly benched in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco. It has been a large number.
Ideally, Richardson begins to ascertain himself as the plain QB of the longer term in Indianapolis. That’s the type of funding the Colts made within the former No. 4 decide. That mentioned, if Richardson’s mistake-prone nature persists, there is a good likelihood Steichen begs the entrance workplace for a extra bankable various. Enter Fields, who can execute most of the identical dual-threat packages as Richardson with out committing the identical quantity of unforced errors.
Fields would not have half the arm that Richardson does, to be frank, however the latter is simply too erratic together with his decision-making for that to matter proper now. There’s nonetheless loads of time for Richardson to enhance, however Fields is barely a pair years older with current success in a beginning gig. He a minimum of offers Indy an actual QB competitors in coaching camp, with the potential for Fields to emerge as a viable chief for a postseason-bound Colts crew. The Steelers do not need to see Fields within the playoffs.
Each quarterback seems higher within the Sean McVay offense, as confirmed by all of the quarterbacks who’ve discovered success below McVay’s myriad disciples across the league. Matthew Stafford’s contract expires on the finish of the season and he is getting near retirement. The Los Angeles Rams would love to stay aggressive with Stafford for a pair extra years, but it surely will not be lifelike.
At that time, it is time to canvass the league for a substitute. Stetson Bennett will not reduce it. Why not Fields, whose dual-threat capacity may unlock thrilling new packages in McVay’s playbook? The Rams actually do not need to wager on a weak draft on the QB place and McVay is not one to draw back from a postseason pursuit. Fields ensures some degree of speedy competence with potential but untapped.
That is in all probability the absolute best touchdown spot for Fields from a schematic and personnel standpoint. The Rams have been beset by accidents all season, however a wholesome Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp is a superb security blanket for any quarterback. It isn’t arduous to think about Fields going to L.A., successful the beginning job, and acting at a excessive degree for a aggressive Rams crew with current Tremendous Bowl pedigree.
LA is not an instantaneous risk to the Steelers within the NFC, however watching Fields flourish in an optimum setting might elicit emotions of remorse for Pittsburgh’s entrance workplace and training workers.
The Cleveland Browns are 2-8 this season behind persistently disastrous QB play from Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston. It is a misplaced marketing campaign for the Browns, however we aren’t too far faraway from Cleveland profiling as the very best protection within the NFL. Kevin Stefanski (or whoever coaches subsequent season) has items to work with.
The Watson contract is a significant albatross across the Browns’ neck, however changing him with the imminently reasonably priced Fields is a justifiable — even perhaps really helpful — motion. At a sure level, Cleveland simply wants to chop its losses. Watson is best as an costly bench decoration than an lively deterrent to the Browns’ aggressive aspirations. Fields can step in and brighten up the Cleveland offense together with his dynamic operating and customarily mistake-averse play.
It is arduous to think about a extra nightmarish final result from the Steelers’ perspective. If Fields leaves and finds success, that is one factor. If he leaves and actively tortures Pittsburgh in its personal division, that is a troublesome beat. Fields would absolutely relish the possibility to beat Russell Wilson head-to-head twice per season. The Browns in all probability aren’t as unhealthy as their report suggests with correct well being and a palatable quarterback. Simply saying…