The Pittsburgh Steelers have made headlines this offseason, not just for typical preseason preparations but for their bold moves in the quarterback department. Acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on one-year deals has turned a lot of heads. While both players bring distinct styles and pedigrees to the table, they also carry their own set of challenges.
Russell Wilson, a seasoned veteran known for his Super Bowl experience, has seen a notable dip in performance since departing Seattle. On the other hand, Justin Fields, despite his impressive athleticism, has struggled with processing plays at a professional level. This blend of experience and potential sets the stage for an intriguing showdown under the Steelers’ banner.
Insights from Pittsburgh Steelers Camp
The dynamic within the Steelers’ camp this season is something that Steelers legend and Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis finds particularly promising. During a recent discussion on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bettis shared his enthusiasm about the quarterback competition.
“You’ve got two veteran football players who are saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to be the guy,’ and the other guy saying, ‘No, I’m going to be the guy,'” Bettis explained. “It’s going to create competition daily. The one thing the Steelers did not have last year was high-level quarterback play.
What you have just done is ensured that the one thing you will get, regardless of who is in, is high-level quarterback play because the other guy is chomping at the bit to get in. You’re going to get the best of both of these guys. Whoever is in, they’re going to give you 110 percent.”
𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: The #Steelers plan to bring in competition at the quarterback position for Kenny Pickett, says head coach Mike Tomlin. pic.twitter.com/z3UnR5F03O
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 18, 2024
Justin Fields Past Tensions and Present Opportunities
Fields, during his time with the Chicago Bears, reportedly had a less than harmonious relationship with his then-mentor, Nick Foles. Described by NFL writer Tyler Dunne as “toxic as hell,” it’s a part of Fields’ history that could resurface in his dynamics with Wilson.
Both quarterbacks have historically been unchallenged starters, and with the intense scrutiny from fans and media, any slip-up could ignite calls for benching. However, handling pressure is part of being a professional athlete.
Legends like Joe Montana and Tom Brady thrived under similar circumstances, using the fear of being benched as a catalyst for elevated play.
Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Aspirations and Beyond
Bettis remains optimistic about the Steelers’ prospects, especially towards the latter part of the season. “The team is going to benefit ultimately,” he stated. “Down the stretch, we got a murderer’s row of teams we got to play in our division, last part of the season.
Having two quarterbacks is going to prove beneficial, I do believe this enables this team to have a chance to get back to the playoffs and a really good chance to go further.”
If Wilson and Fields can harness the internal competition and elevate each other’s game, Bettis’s belief in Pittsburgh’s ability to clinch their first playoff win since the 2016 NFL season could very well materialize.
As the Steelers gear up for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on how this quarterback contest unfolds.
Whether it leads to a playoff berth or not, one thing is certain: Pittsburgh will witness some of the highest levels of quarterback play seen in recent years.
