Prior to yesterday’s game against the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to go with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback despite coming in with a 4-2 record.
Wilson was tabbed as the starter just prior to Week 1 by head coach Mike Tomlin but wasn’t able to play due to a calf strain, and the decision to start him on Sunday instead of Justin Fields was seen as a controversial one.
But Wilson was solid against New York, going 16 of 29 for 264 yards and two touchdown passes while adding a rushing touchdown, and the Steelers were able to ground the Jets, 37-15.
Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney said on “Up & Adams” that Wilson gives Pittsburgh more of an upside than they had with Fields.
.@dwightfreeney on the discourse surrounding the #Steelers two QBs…
“The upside with Russell is higher than (Justin) Fields.”
Agree or disagree??? 🤔@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/q764fIERka
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 21, 2024
Pittsburgh acquired both Wilson and Fields this offseason, which created an instant quarterback controversy.
Fields, who had struggled in his three prior NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears, threw for just 1,106 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games of this season.
While Wilson isn’t quite what he used to be with the Seattle Seahawks and is coming off two dismal years with the Denver Broncos, he showed that he perhaps still has enough game on Sunday.
He isn’t the dual-threat QB he was several years ago, but he averaged a robust 9.1 yards per pass attempt versus the Jets, which was much greater than his poor 6.9 yards per attempt last season.
The Steelers have a 5-2 record and are in first place in the NFC North largely thanks to their defense, which ranks second in the league in points allowed.
However, their schedule will get tougher in the weeks to come, so that defense, as well as Wilson’s ability to still play at a high level, will be sincerely tested.
