A Quarterback Conflict: Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields in the Steel City
A quarterback conflict is looming in the Steel City. Justin Fields, the original second-string quarterback, was given his long-awaited opportunity to showcase his skills following Russell Wilson’s calf injury. Wilson originally hurt his calf at the beginning of training camp, with it flaring up before the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week One match against the Atlanta Falcons. He has been unable to take to the field this season, opening the door for Fields to assist in the Steelers’ last three victories.
Wilson joined the Steel City team following his ten seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and two seasons with the Denver Broncos. Though his time with the Seahawks was triumphant, as he was named to the Pro Bowl nine times and even helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2014, his time with the Broncos was much different. He was released after just two years, though he signed for five, and was benched for his final two games before leaving the team. However, his time with the Broncos was also marked by disruption in the coaching staff and offensive team, and Wilson struggled to click with the new head coach, Sean Payton. The Steelers offered him a change of pace, with a solid offensive team and secure coaching staff, and many fans speculated that he had the tools necessary to relive his former glory. However, his lingering calf injury may just end his professional football career for good.
Like Wilson, Fields is also new to the Steel City team. Originally a first-round pick in the 2021 draft for the Chicago Bears, the quarterback did not see a lot of playing time and was sent to the Steelers for draft picks this previous March. Though he was initially not named the Steelers’ starting quarterback, Wilson’s prolonged injury might just change that. Over the past three games, Fields has completed 55 out of 75 passes, accumulating a 73.3% completion rate. Additionally, in just three weeks, he’s racked up 518 yards, only throwing one interception. Fields has not only had an impressive season, but he has also been able to use his momentum from previous games and translate it to his performance, making him a viable option for starting quarterback. However, it seems unlikely that Russell Wilson will accept being sidelined for what could be his last NFL season, and Fields must continually perform to keep his spot.
