Something strange is going on with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite a 4-2 start capped by a massive blowout of the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Mike Tomlin has opted to change quarterbacks. Justin Fields, who has 10 combined touchdowns and only one interception, will go to the bench in favor of Russell Wilson. The former nine-time Pro Bowler has spent over a month recovering from a persistent calf injury. He’s finally practicing in full and has done enough in Tomlin’s eye to warrant a look as the starter.
The head coach alluded to the desire for more production from the passing game, which hasn’t been anything special. Fields himself stated he hadn’t done enough to keep the job if the Steelers were making this decision. This hasn’t stopped many around the league and even inside the locker room from being puzzled by it. Diana Russini of The Athletic added another layer to the intrigue. Some apparently wonder if this move was strategic by Tomlin to protect the Steelers’ 4th round pick in 2025 that would go to Chicago if Fields plays over half the offensive snaps.
One other thing to consider that may or may not be impacting this decision: If Fields plays 51 percent of Pittsburgh’s snaps this season, the trade compensation to the Bears changes from a sixth-round pick to a fourth-rounder. I don’t actually believe Tomlin is factoring that into his thinking, but some people I’ve talked to around the league have speculated.
More than anything, league-wide, many are questioning why Tomlin would make a move like this when things are going well. We’ll find out Sunday night if Tomlin is smarter than everyone — or if this decision blows up, as some fear it might.
People will deny it, but rest assured, stuff like this happens all the time. NFL teams will go to epic lengths to hoard draft picks. Yes, that includes potentially messing with team chemistry and momentum by making a quarterback change. Tomlin likely has it in his head that going to Wilson can maybe elevate the offense even further. If it doesn’t? No big deal. They can just go back to Fields. Except that isn’t how it works. Such a move threatens to derail the quarterback’s positive momentum for the past month.
It would be one thing to make a change when things aren’t going well. To do it when the Steelers are winning feels like egregious recklessness. One can only feel bad for Justin Fields. There are plenty of viable reasons for getting benched. Having it happen because your team wants to protect a day three draft pick has to rank among the worst.
