When the Steelers acquired quarterback Justin Fields in a trade in March, the assumption was that (1) Russell Wilson would start and (2) Justin Fields would run the line of plays.
Now that Wilson has decided not to use Fields in order to maintain his QB1 position, the question is, will the Steelers use Fields?
Shortly after it was announced that Wilson would be the starter, head coach Rich Eisen posed that question to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
“I’ll just say my friend Raheem Morris better be prepared for a Justin Fields package,” Tomlin said of Pittsburgh’s Week 1 visit to Atlanta. “I’m not going to give away the strategic approach, but there’s just too much talent to sit and watch all day, you know what I mean?”
Indeed, it harkens back to 1995, when the Steelers used quarterback Kordell Stewart in select moments. “Slash” took the Steel City by storm with his sometimes explosive and exciting cameos.
Fields can bring that element to the table, and he’s one of the best 11 players on the offensive line, so why not put him on the field instead of or alongside Wilson?
Of course, if Tomlin is going to do that, why would he say it? Most coaches tend to say nothing or lead you in a misleading direction. Unless, of course, Tomlin goes to the next level and does something that gives a misleading impression and makes you think the Falcons don’t have the Fields package when in fact they do.
I’m getting a headache again.