As the preseason approaches its culmination, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the midst of a quarterback conundrum. The ongoing debate isn't lost on seasoned coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick, who offer their perspectives on the situation, suggesting it might not be as daunting as it appears to the outside world.
Quarterback Controversy: Wilson vs. Fields
Russell Wilson has maintained a slight edge over Justin Fields in the ongoing quarterback race. Despite this, neither Wilson nor Fields has managed to lead a touchdown drive during their preseason matchups – an inefficiency that underscores a more profound issue. The root of this problem, say experts, lies within the offensive line.
Bill Cowher believes the solution lies in managing expectations. “You start the season with Russell. If Justin Fields starts as the second guy, have a package of plays. If all of a sudden you need a spark -- something to get your offense going again -- put [Fields] in. If you have to take Russell out, he’s been there before. It’s not going to destroy his confidence. I don’t want to start Justin Fields and then feel like I have to make a change and take him out. Limit the expectations on Justin Fields. Let him be Justin Fields,” Cowher advised.
Offensive Line Struggles
The inefficiencies of the quarterback drives are largely linked to substandard performances from the offensive line. Notably, key offensive line player Troy Fautanu has been sidelined due to injury, significantly impacting their ability to protect the quarterback and establish a productive running game. The good news is that Fautanu is expected to return for Week 1, which could bolster the line's performance.
Regarding the offensive line's struggles, Bill Belichick provided critical analysis: “I think they have bigger problems than the quarterback position. That’s my opinion. I think that the defense is a pretty solid unit. The offensive line had a hard time being consistent. They lost the tackle [Troy Fautanu]. Now they’ve got [Broderick] Jones over there playing right tackle. Dan [Moore Jr.] is playing left tackle. Inside they have a rookie center, [Zach] Frazier. He’s got a way to go. The guards, they’ve had some issues, too, in the first two preseason games.”
Hopeful Rookies and Their Potential
Despite the challenges, there are promising signs within the Steelers' roster. Newcomer Zach Frazier has shown great promise as Pittsburgh’s starting center. Though still needing time to develop, his potential provides hope for a sturdy offensive line in the future. Similarly, rookie Mason McCormick holds significant potential, but he too will require more experience to make a substantial impact this season.
From a historical perspective, Steelers fans might recall 1996 when Mike Tomczak was chosen as the starter over Kordell Stewart. Tomczak led the team to a commendable 10-6 record, though they ultimately fell in the divisional round of the playoffs. This precedent demonstrates the weight of the decision at hand for current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who is continuing with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Looking at the Coaching Perspective
Belichick’s insights also extend to how the offensive strategy needs to incorporate the quarterbacks' strengths. “Arthur [Smith] is a great fit for that offense -- for what Coach Tomlin wants. They need to get the running game going. They have good backs. They need to get those backs started. Russell's good out of the pocket. He’ll be able to hit those play action and passes,” Belichick opined.
As the Steelers hone their lineup for the approaching season, it is evident that resolving the offensive line issues is paramount. With the anticipated return of Fautanu and the development of promising rookies, there’s cautious optimism that they can provide the needed protection and enable the quarterbacks to perform at their best.
While the quarterback conundrum persists, the underlying narrative remains clear: the offensive line’s ability to shield their playmaker and sustain a productive running game will be the cornerstone of the Steelers' success this season. For now, Pittsburgh's faithful can hope that Tomlin’s choice to start with Russell Wilson will steer the team toward greater achievements, just as Tomczak did over two decades ago.