Mike Tomlin makes wise quarterback decision ahead of Steelers vs. Broncos game
By Tommy Jaggi
The Steelers are coming off a gritty Week 1 road win over the Atlanta Falcons. Despite being named the starting quarterback on a moment's notice before the season opener, Justin Fields was able to take care of the football, control the clock, and help his team to their first victory of the season.
After the game, Tomlin was asked who he planned to roll out at quarterback in Week 2 when the Steelers take the field. He quickly tabled that conversation for his Tuesday pre-game press conference.
We now have an answer.
On September 10, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reported that Tomlin is preparing to start Justin Fields in Pittsburgh's Week 2 contest against the Denver Broncos.
Mike Tomlin is preparing Justin Fields to start vs. Denver
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 10, 2024
Russell Wilson "feels better today than over the weekend."
Tomlin says they'll start with his participation, level of participation, quality of participation and then analyze if he can protect himself and be…
This will be the second straight road game for Fields and the Steelers to open the season. Only this time, Fields will have all week to prepare as the team's starting quarterback.
The decision comes as veteran Russell Wilson continues to work his way back from a calf injury. Wilson experienced 'calf tightness' all summer, and he showed up on the Week 1 injury report after suffering a setback in preparation for Week 1.
Steelers are making the right decision at quarterback
Several of our writers at Still Curtain have written about how the Steelers' quarterback decision should be obvious to Mike Tomlin. Apparently, it was. Unlike last week, Tomlin wasted no time declaring his starting QB.
There were likely two reasons that led to Tomlin making this decision early in the week: Wilson's health status and Fields' ability to lead his team to an underdog road win on short notice.
Whatever reason Tomlin is going with, the Steelers are making the right choice. Fields wasn't perfect as a passer, but he flashed his upside and ability in the Week 1 win. His fit with Arthur Smith could be the spark he needed all along.
On play-action passes in Week 1, Fields completed 9 of 13 passes for 81 yards and was pressured on a lower percentage of passes than any QB with at least 10 attempts in the season opener. These bootleg plays also give Fields the flexibility to take off and move the chains with his legs if there's nothing available. He chipped in 57 rushing yards on the ground.
After a solid performance against the Falcons, the 25-year-old quarterback will remain at the helm when the Steelers travel to the Mile High City to take on the Broncos in Week 2. Let's hope Justin Fields can build on his performance and help take Pittsburgh's offense to the next level.
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