Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB Battle is Extremely not Clear
Just about everybody with a microphone in NFL media has weighed in on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Now, former Steelers signal caller Ben Roethlisberger has too.
On the latest episode of his Footbahlin’ podcast, Roethlisberger argued that Fields should remain the Steelers starting quarterback in Week 3 regardless of Wilson’s health.
“He’s not turning the ball over. They’re 2-0. Big test this week with the Chargers coming to town. To me, if Russ is healthy, I’m sticking with Justin,” Roethlisberger told his co-host Spencer Te’o. “I said it last week, I wouldn’t. But what I saw [in Week 2], I think he has earned and deserves the right to stay there.”
Fields hasn’t exactly lit up the stat sheet in his first two starts with the Steelers. He’s averaging 6.3 yards per pass, 3.8 yards per carry and 136.5 passing yards per game. All of those are career lows.
But, Fields has completed 69.8% of his passes, which is a career best. He’s also not turned the ball over this season.
The Steelers named Wilson their starting quarterback after the preseason. Fields has started the first two games of the 2024 campaign, though, because Wilson is dealing with a calf injury.
Wilson injured his calf while pushing a blocking sled during the opening week of training camp. He re-injured the calf preparing for Week 1.
The Steelers defeated the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. It’s the first time in Fields’ career that he has his team at least two games above .500.