The Steelers’ quarterback situation reportedly has some in the organization divided.
After Justin Fields led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start while Russell Wilson has been out with a calf injury suffered before the regular season started, many associated with the franchise are hoping coach Mike Tomlin will stick with Fields, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Indications are Wilson, not Fields, will be under center in Week 7 against the Jets.
“This is a decision that has not been made yet,” Breer said on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Wednesday. “I know some people there that feel like Tomlin is gonna take this thing to end of the week and really take a hard look at it.”
“Every indication I’ve got is the people in that building love Justin Fields. Coaches, players. There are a lot of folks in that facility that do not want Mike Tomlin to go away from Justin Fields right now. They feel like Fields is representative of what they are as a football team, helps them in the running game. No, he’s not perfect as a passer, but he’s doing plenty and he’s going to keep better and he has improved week over week … There are a ton of people in that place right now that feel like Russell Wilson would limit them on offense in a way that Justin Fields does not, which I think is a big part of the reason why so many people there just wish that Tomlin would stick with Fields.”
Fields has thrown five touchdowns and added five rushing touchdowns, the most among quarterbacks, while tossing just one interception across six games.
There have been limitations with the Steelers’ passing attack that he’s offset with his rushing skills.
While the 25-year-old showed immense growth through six starts, it appears the Steelers will turn — at least for now — to the Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Wilson.
“I don’t think I played good enough, if I’m being real with you,” Fields said. “If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don’t think there would be any sort of who should be playing, who should not.”
Wilson, who’s been taking all the first-team reps in practice this week, said he’s ready to start against the Jets (2-4) on “Sunday Night Football.”
Davante Adams will make his debut with the Jets after a blockbuster trade from the Raiders on Tuesday.