The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a Wild Card clash against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, but they’re not carrying much momentum, due in large part to subpar performances from starting quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Steelers stumbled into the playoffs after losing four straight games to close out the season, with Wilson’s struggles playing a major role in those losses.
Over those four games, Wilson has thrown two interceptions, fumbled three times, and failed to surpass 150 passing yards in half of the contests.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t mince words during his press conference this week, calling Wilson’s recent play “spotty at best” and hinting that backup quarterback Justin Fields could see action against the Ravens.
“Certainly, in an effort to win this game, I am open to any combination or combinations of the division of labor [at quarterback] in an effort to do so,” Tomlin said, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Adding to the speculation, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Joe Starkey suggested Wilson could find himself on the bench if he struggles against Baltimore.
“Mike Tomlin isn’t exactly professing tons of confidence in ‘Mr. Unlimited’ at the moment,” Starkey observed. “His comments make it seem like if Tomlin wants Russ to cook at all, it’s nothing more than scrambled eggs and toast.
“I have to believe that Tomlin is ready to go to his bullpen early,” Starkey added. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think — based on his comments — that he’s secretly planning to start Fields.”
Needless to say, this whole situation led to a lot of reactions from fans.
“Whatever works for this team to beat the Ravens, it may work or backfire badly. The Ravens are capable of adjusting during the game and stop Justin Fields run, are you going to put Russ back in or accept defeat,” one fan wrote on X.
“So the Steelers are gonna start a quarterback, who’s never lead a team to the playoffs or started playoff game over a veteran quarterback who’s been to two Super Bowls and won several playoff games??? BTW against a two time MVP, who may win it again this year!” one fan added.
“Would be extremely smart of him to do that at this point. Wilson is totally cooked at this point,” one fan added.
“Would be BEST MOVE that he has made ALL YEAR!! Justin Fields has all of the things that this OFFENSE needs and the STEELERS NEED JUSTIN to PLAY THE GAME OF HIS LIFE!” a fan added.
We’ll have to see how Wilson performs and whether or not Tomlin decides to bench him.
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