NFL coaches make hundreds of decisions every day, and most are carefully shielded from the public eye. When it comes to quarterback changes, though, that can’t happen. They’re going public, like it or not, and the result often an instant quarterback controversy.
Which is part of why Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Russell Wilson over Justin Fields against the Jets this week is so strange. The Steelers are 4-2, and Fields has played reasonably well most of the time. He’s by far the younger of the two retread quarterbacks Pittsburgh picked up during the offseason, and based on Wilson’s decline in the last two years, the odds that the team’s play will pick up significantly aren’t very good.
Pittsburgh's logic behind starting Russell Wilson doesn't play well on the field
While all NFL teams have to deal with rabid fan bases and eager players competing for snaps and salaries, they also have organizational plans for many decisions. And this one with Fields and Wilson reeks of a decision driven by a corporate plan.
The logic behind subbing in Russell Wilson goes something like this: After being punted on by their respective teams, Fields and Wilson are both making less than $2 million a year, which is low even for a backup quarterback. The Steelers have seen Fields for six games now, and he’s had his moments, so now it’s time to switch over to Wilson to see how the other half of their quarterback investment plan can perform.
Mike Tomlin himself put a financial spin on the swap, saying, “Justin Fields has been an asset for us” when he was grilled about the decision. This kind of justification may play well in a corporate board room, but on the field the results can be sketchy. Wilson may still be a better passer than Fields, but he’s also 35, and much of his once-legendary mobility is now gone.
Where Mike Tomlin’s logic falls apart
In defending his choice, Tomlin proceeded to dig a deeper hole for himself by that the Steelers have been good but not great with Fields under center. Which is true, but the idea that Wilson can make the Steelers great is marginal at best.
The last time we saw anything close to great from Russell Wilson was three years ago during his last year in Seattle. Back then the phrase “let Russ cook” was the outcry of an outraged fan base that grew indignant when Carroll reeled in Wilson based on his constant tendency to try all-or-nothing throws at the worst possible times.
For some reason, Tomlin still sees the early career version of Wilson in his rose-colored glasses, when Wilson’s ability to pull a rabbit out of a hat made him a revelation. Most of us now see the guy we saw in Denver, a quarterback who was jettisoned because he couldn’t stay on script and stick to the game plan.
Sean Payton got so fed up with this that he was willing to take a huge cap hit to get Wilson out of town. Wilson’s hardcore fans still see him as a quarterback magician, but his reputation just doesn’t match up with the current reality.
The long-term ramifications of this decision are just as questionable
So what if Wilson does have a lights-out game against the Jets tonight? That would justify Tomlin’s move for one game, and the former Seattle star might even go on a brief tear. Most of the arm strength is still there, so it is possible, even though the Jets defense has to be happy about not having to make open-field tackles against Fields.
Going forward, though, the old adage applies—when you have two quarterbacks, it means you really have none. The move leaves Pittsburgh with a 35-year old quarterback whose future potential is limited, to say the least. Meanwhile, Fields becomes a damaged asset who likely moves on, and the Steelers are back on the market, looking for “the guy.”
Again.