Throughout the season, few people made more of an eyebrow raiser in the NFL than the Steelers' decision to bench Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. Pittsburgh had already seen flashes of brilliance and potential as a dynamic quarterback from its Fields. The move to start Wilson, an old veteran QB, though, made fans wonder if they couldn't have had a better chance at winning the division with Fields behind center.
Fields had shown ability to be a dynamic athlete and playmaker — and especially playmaker — with his legs. If the Steelers' offense really needed an asset in improving their protection and creativity, it was his mobility. Together Fields could have helped Pittsburgh find more consistency with its offense.
Related : How Many Touchdowns Are Scored per Week NFL?
But many analysts found that Fields' dynamic skill set was what the Steelers needed to remain competitive in a tricky division. The Pittsburgh defense thrives on the type of hard-hitting, defensive battles that come with a mobile QB such as the one Fields is, and the east could have been a tougher place to win in those types of games. But Fields' ability to escape sacks and make such plays on the move would have been essential against division rivals such as the Ravens and Bengals.
But Wilson was something of a more traditional pocket passer. He'd had a wealth of experience, but years of honing his craft had also hardened his left foot. Wilson struggled to buy time in the pocket and made the Steelers offensive line issues more pronounced. The ceiling for the offense was limited by his lack of mobility.
Fields brought more energy, more potential to the field in comparison. His performances had shown that even when a game it seemed hopeless he could rally a team. Pittsburgh's offense might have benefited from a quarterback not of the moldering cup pass variety, one willing to take risks and make plays outside his pocket.
It also would have been a game changer if Fields was linked to the Steelers’ younger skill players. George Pickens, Najee Harris, even Fields himself could have mounted higher success with the rogue quality of Fields’ improvisation. With made field, Fields was able to make plays on the move — sometimes broken plays became successful yardage.
The offense would have been able to build a stronger rhythm with the Steelers committing to Fields the course of the season. Fields’ ability to make quick decisions under pressure might’ve made the offense more creative in how to attack defenses. As he became more comfortable in the starting role the offense may ultimately become more comfortable with his style.
But it’s also something to remember that Fields wasn’t perfect with the Steelers either. He had growing pains in his decision making and accuracy under pressure. Fans were left wondering for parts if Fields was ready for the main event after he struggled to execute when it mattered most. But his upside was undeniable, and he could have only gotten better.
Questions also boiled over around how long the Steelers plan to go with Fields, who took over after an early departure from Prescott. Fields was younger with potential to grow further, Wilson was just a short term fix. If only the Steelers had committed to Fields, they may have been able to establish a better basis for the future than with a veteran quarterback, who didn’t fill the bill for the system.
It is easy to argue looking back that Fields could’ve helped the Steelers out compete for the division. Fields has the mobility, the potential for big plays and the ability to galvanize the offense in a new direction, and he might have been the missing piece needed to vault Pittsburgh ahead of its current divisional rivals.
Justin Fields might lead the Steelers to the division title. However, Russell Wilson was not the only dynamic Pittsburgh’s offense could put together. When Wilson’s experience was part of providing help for the Steelers, the X factor Fields could have been the thing that took them above their competitors.
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Throughout the season, few people made more of an eyebrow raiser in the NFL than the Steelers' decision to bench Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. Pittsburgh had already seen flashes of brilliance and potential as a dynamic quarterback from its Fields. The move to start Wilson, an old veteran QB, though, made fans wonder if they couldn't have had a better chance at winning the division with Fields behind center.
Fields had shown ability to be a dynamic athlete and playmaker — and especially playmaker — with his legs. If the Steelers' offense really needed an asset in improving their protection and creativity, it was his mobility. Together Fields could have helped Pittsburgh find more consistency with its offense.
Related : How Many Touchdowns Are Scored per Week NFL?
But many analysts found that Fields' dynamic skill set was what the Steelers needed to remain competitive in a tricky division. The Pittsburgh defense thrives on the type of hard-hitting, defensive battles that come with a mobile QB such as the one Fields is, and the east could have been a tougher place to win in those types of games. But Fields' ability to escape sacks and make such plays on the move would have been essential against division rivals such as the Ravens and Bengals.
But Wilson was something of a more traditional pocket passer. He'd had a wealth of experience, but years of honing his craft had also hardened his left foot. Wilson struggled to buy time in the pocket and made the Steelers offensive line issues more pronounced. The ceiling for the offense was limited by his lack of mobility.
Fields brought more energy, more potential to the field in comparison. His performances had shown that even when a game it seemed hopeless he could rally a team. Pittsburgh's offense might have benefited from a quarterback not of the moldering cup pass variety, one willing to take risks and make plays outside his pocket.
It also would have been a game changer if Fields was linked to the Steelers’ younger skill players. George Pickens, Najee Harris, even Fields himself could have mounted higher success with the rogue quality of Fields’ improvisation. With made field, Fields was able to make plays on the move — sometimes broken plays became successful yardage.
The offense would have been able to build a stronger rhythm with the Steelers committing to Fields the course of the season. Fields’ ability to make quick decisions under pressure might’ve made the offense more creative in how to attack defenses. As he became more comfortable in the starting role the offense may ultimately become more comfortable with his style.
But it’s also something to remember that Fields wasn’t perfect with the Steelers either. He had growing pains in his decision making and accuracy under pressure. Fans were left wondering for parts if Fields was ready for the main event after he struggled to execute when it mattered most. But his upside was undeniable, and he could have only gotten better.
Questions also boiled over around how long the Steelers plan to go with Fields, who took over after an early departure from Prescott. Fields was younger with potential to grow further, Wilson was just a short term fix. If only the Steelers had committed to Fields, they may have been able to establish a better basis for the future than with a veteran quarterback, who didn’t fill the bill for the system.
It is easy to argue looking back that Fields could’ve helped the Steelers out compete for the division. Fields has the mobility, the potential for big plays and the ability to galvanize the offense in a new direction, and he might have been the missing piece needed to vault Pittsburgh ahead of its current divisional rivals.
Justin Fields might lead the Steelers to the division title. However, Russell Wilson was not the only dynamic Pittsburgh’s offense could put together. When Wilson’s experience was part of providing help for the Steelers, the X factor Fields could have been the thing that took them above their competitors.