Disastrous Russell Wilson performance vs. Bills raises massive concerns for Steelers

It wasn't a surprise to see Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin name Russell Wilson the starter for Pittsburgh's second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Wilson nursed a calf injury for the first half of training camp, which caused him to miss the team's first preseason game.

It's clear he needs all the reps he can get.

Fans were optimistic about Wilson in his Steelers debut, but our positive thoughts dwindled with each passing moment in the first half against the Bills. Wilson looked skittish in the pocket as he routinely checked the ball down underneath.

His unaggressive play instantly brought back painful memories of watching Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky last season (Mitch's performance was equally ugly for the Bills).

Wilson let the ball rip just one time on ten pass attempts, but his pass to George Pickens down the left sidelines was too far out of bounds that even Pickens couldn't come down with a spectacular catch.

Wilson's night finished with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. Though he completed eight of ten passes on the evening, he compiled just 47 passing yards. What's worse is that, after factoring the 21 yards taken on three sacks, Wilson netted just 26 total yards in nearly an entire first half of play against the Bills.

Russell Wilson's performance will have Steelers tempted to start Justin Fields

We don't want to overreact to one half of a preseason game. This was Wilson's first performance as a member of the Steelers. The veteran quarterback also didn't get much help from his offensive line, as Broderick Jones had a nightmarish performance against the Bills. Still, there is more than enough reason to be concerned about Pittburgh's quarterback situation.

Since signing Wilson and trading for Justin Fields, Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers have been clear in expressing that Wilson has 'pole position' of the starting QB job. This hasn't changed... but perhaps it should.

Wilson showed his age out there in Pittsburgh's Week 2 preseason game against Buffalo, and he's no longer a good enough athlete to make up for his lack of ability to rip the ball over the middle of the field.

On the other hand, Justin Fields -- who is a literal decade younger than Wilson -- recorded 44 all-purpose yards in just two minutes of play in the first half. He marched the team down the field in the closing seconds for a Chris Boswell field goal just before time expired in the second quarter. Wilson went scoreless in nearly two quarters of play.

At the very least, Wilson's performance against the Bills didn't give the Steelers any confidence in their choice at quarterback. This competition is closer than the media the organization gives it credit for and Fields is on Wilson's heels for the starting gig when this team faces the Atlanta Falcons on the road in Week 1 of the regular season.