The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a pivotal moment in their preseason preparations, grappling with the decision of who should start as quarterback. While this might seem like a dilemma to fans and analysts alike, seasoned coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick opine that the choice is clearer than it appears.
Quarterback Conundrum
Currently, Russell Wilson leads the quarterback race, asserting his dominance over the younger Justin Fields. Despite neither quarterback leading a drive to a touchdown during preseason play, Wilson has shown more consistency. This lack of scoring can be chalked up to the underperformance of the offensive line, rather than the quarterbacks themselves.
Bill Cowher, a revered name in the NFL, advised a strategic approach: “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.”
Offensive Line Troubles
Arguably the more pressing issue for the Steelers lies within their offensive line. The unit has been inconsistent, a challenge exacerbated by the injury to key player Troy Fautanu, who has been sidelined for over a week. Bill Belichick has underscored the significance of this loss, commenting, “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.”
The return of Troy Fautanu for Week 1 is eagerly anticipated, as his presence could significantly enhance the line's performance. Meanwhile, the Steelers are exploring potential in freshman players. Newcomer Zach Frazier, now Pittsburgh’s starting center, and rookie Mason McCormick are two names with promise but require more experience to significantly impact the season.
The Road Ahead
Despite the hurdles, the Steelers have some positives to look forward to. Mike Tomlin, current coach of the team, continues to put his faith in Russell Wilson to lead as the starting quarterback. The strategy echoes the days of Mike Tomczak, who started over Kordell Stewart in 1996 and led the team to a 10-6 record, despite falling in the divisional round of the playoffs that year.
Further, Belichick’s faith in the offensive strategy crafted by Arthur Smith indicates potential growth if the running game can get up to speed. As he noted, “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.”
Critical Adjustments
The success of the Steelers' upcoming season will undeniably hinge on resolving the offensive line's inconsistencies. Their ability to protect Wilson and facilitate a productive running game holds the key to unlocking the team's offensive potential. Addressing these issues not only will provide a solid foundation for the quarterbacks but also is pivotal for overall team success.
The Steelers' defensive unit remains a robust aspect of the team, providing some breathing room as the offensive hurdles are tackled. However, as the preseason progresses, the onus is on the offensive line to step up and show marked improvement, ensuring that whether it's Wilson or Fields behind the line, they have the protection required to lead scoring drives effectively.
With the NFL season fast approaching, all eyes will be on how Pittsburgh addresses these critical challenges. The blend of seasoned players, promising newcomers, and strategic coaching decisions will ultimately determine their trajectory. For Steelers fans and the wider NFL community, it’s a storyline filled with anticipation and high stakes.