It is rare for the Pittsburgh Steelers to be engulfed in quarterback drama over the past five decades. However, they seem to have found it this off-season. The Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields to them for a conditional pick. It was done as a favor to the quarterback, who wanted to play for a more stable organization where he could compete for the job. Most didn’t expect him to have much success against Russell Wilson, a seven-time Pro Bowler. He had also signed with Pittsburgh shortly before Fields’ arrival.
However, things took an interesting turn in training camp. As Wilson was sidelined with an injury, Fields performed far above expectations in practice. Some thought he was poised to steal the starting job. The momentum fizzled when he made some mistakes in the preseason opener. Wilson reasserted himself, claimed the job, and was even voted a team captain.
Everybody felt Fields’ window had closed. Then, days before the opener, another twist in the story surfaced. Wilson’s calf problem resurfaced, leaving his status for Sunday in doubt. Suddenly, it looks like Fields will play.
If he can lead Pittsburgh to a win over Atlanta, that might convince the Steelers to change course and keep him as the starter. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t owe Wilson anything. He signed for a minimum deal in the off-season. Unlike Denver, the contract doesn’t force the Steelers to play him. He hasn’t been healthy all summer. Justin Fields has, and he’s won over a lot of people in the building. This is the perfect opportunity to slide him into the lineup. Fields throttled Atlanta last season. If he can do so again, it would likely cement the job. That, in turn, would benefit the Bears. His playing 51% of the offensive snaps this year guarantees them a 4th round pick in 2025. It could be a win-win for both parties.
