Ian Rapoport: Steelers’ Russell Wilson Now Must Control Situation Before Justin Fields Steals His Spot
Ian Rapoport: Steelers’ Russell Wilson Now Must Control Situation Before Justin Fields Steals His Spot
The Pittsburgh Steelers began training camp in Latrobe, PA on Thursday, but fans were surprised to see new quarterback Russell Wilson not participating in drills. Wilson did not even have his helmet with him.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media and explained that Wilson woke up with calf soreness, leading the team to decide against having him practice. Tomlin mentioned that Wilson was eager to participate, but the coaching staff opted to rest him as a precaution.
This situation provided an opportunity for another highly discussed quarterback, Justin Fields. The offseason has seen much speculation about Wilson being the frontrunner for the starting position and what that means for Fields.
While it seems clear that Wilson is expected to be the starter, Fields still has a chance to compete for the role. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that there are no serious concerns about Wilson’s injury, but there is some uncertainty about the security of his starting position.
“He’s considered day-to-day, could practice very soon. Health-wise, this is no issue at all. But that’s not really what we’re talking about here. Russell Wilson needs to be careful. If he can in any way control this, he needs to be careful because this really is how it happens, right? I mean, Justin Fields went out there today, sounds like he was pretty impressive. There’s a throw to Van Jefferson that everyone’s been talking about. And Justin Fields as a thrower, as an athlete, there’s a lot of really impressive things that he can do.”
The offseason has been dominated by discussions about Wilson and Fields. Some experts argue that Wilson should unquestionably be the starter, while others believe Fields has the talent to take the job. When the Steelers traded for Fields, they made it clear that they wanted him to learn from Wilson.
Rapoport suggests that if Wilson has any say in the matter—something Tomlin admitted he didn’t have regarding practice—he needs to return to the field quickly. In the NFL, injuries are common and can create opportunities for other players to claim your spot. Fields impressed fans today with several throws including one to Van Jefferson that has been trending.
“Russell Wilson has to be careful,” Rapoport said. “Because you open the door just a little bit and you let Mike Tomlin and these Steelers offensive coaches think, ‘Wow, Justin Fields can show us a little bit.’ That’s how it happens and that’s how momentum builds. So obviously, Russell Wilson is doing what he can to get out there, but it certainly is important that he does so at a very fast pace.”
The notion that Wilson’s job is seriously at risk right now seems unlikely. However, Fields’ performance Thursday has garnered significant attention to some. Many Steelers analysts reported that he looked promising.
While it’s challenging to make definitive judgments this early in training camp, Fields clearly made an impression.
Steelers QB Battle Starting To Gain Serious Momentum
It will be interesting to see when Wilson returns to the field, as the quarterback competition in Pittsburgh could intensify. The Steelers find themselves with a good problem: both Wilson and Fields are eager to prove they still belong in the league.
This competition will elevate their performance, with one of them emerging as the starter. Steelers fans are excited, believing that the team is just an upgrade at quarterback away from being true contenders.
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