For the first time this season, it seems Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may have to make an official decision regarding the starting quarterback.
Russell Wilson was healthy enough to back up Justin Fields in Week 6, and after another week of practice, Wilson should be ready to go for Week 7. However, Fields has led the Steelers to a 4-2 record, including a strong rebound performance against the Las Vegas Raiders where he posted a total QBR of 74.7 out of 100.
Interestingly, despite Fields’ high QBR, his passer rating in Week 6 was the lowest of the season. This kind of inconsistency has been a hallmark of Fields’ NFL career, but Steelers fans don’t seem to be bothered. In a recent poll conducted by Steelers Depot following the Raiders game on October 13, the majority of fans made their preference clear.
As of Monday, October 14, around 4 p.m. EST, 78.1% of fans voted for Fields to remain the starter for Week 7 against the New York Jets, with only 21.9% supporting Wilson. Over 3,500 fans participated in the poll, making it a substantial sample size.
If Tomlin decides to make a change at quarterback, the poll suggests many fans won’t be happy. This sets the stage for a compelling week in Steelers nation.
**NFL Analysts Support Fields as Steelers QB1**
It’s not just Steelers fans backing Fields; several NFL analysts have also voiced their support for him over Wilson. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky highlighted Fields’ ability to compensate for the offensive line’s struggles while speaking on “Get Up.”
“Justin Fields covered up for 110 yards of hidden yardage because of that offensive line,” Orlovsky pointed out. “If you put Russell Wilson back there, this team will struggle to score, let alone win.”
Orlovsky showcased clips from the Raiders game, where Fields turned potential losses into positive yardage, thanks to his mobility and skill in evading pressure.
Former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody echoed this sentiment, stating it would be “a big mistake” to start Wilson given the current state of the Steelers’ offensive line, which he called “atrocious” and “pathetic” on the same program.
Fox Sports One analyst Mark Schlereth suggested that Wilson might want to “shop himself for a trade” given reports that the Steelers are not interested in trading him. Schlereth added, “I think this is Justin Fields’ job. The team loves playing with him. He’s not making mistakes, he’s running the ball well. The passing game will develop, but this is his job.”
CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden also weighed in, saying Fields has done enough to keep the starting job. “When things are going well, why change it?” he asked.
**Mike Tomlin’s Quarterback Decision Looms**
It remains to be seen whether Tomlin will name a starting quarterback during his press conference on Tuesday, October 15. However, it will likely be the main topic of conversation ahead of the Steelers’ Week 7 matchup with the Jets.
Tomlin has been known to keep his quarterback decisions under wraps until game day, but he has previously hinted that Fields has been the primary option due to his health and performance.
As the Jets prepare to face the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, all eyes will be on Tomlin and his decision leading into Week 7.
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