The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently facing a crucial decision regarding their starting quarterback as the new season approaches. This dilemma has generated considerable debate among fans and analysts, though seasoned coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick have downplayed the perceived difficulty of the choice.
Quarterback Competition
In the quarterback race, Russell Wilson has maintained his edge over Justin Fields. Despite this, neither player has successfully led a touchdown drive in the preseason, a concerning stat given the expectations surrounding the team. The inefficiency of these drives can largely be attributed to issues with the offensive line, an area that has seen its fair share of struggles.
Bill Cowher weighed in on the decision, suggesting a strategic approach to handling the quarterbacks. “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 Woes
A significant hurdle for the Steelers lies in the performance of their offensive line. The absence of key player Troy Fautanu due to injury has been a notable blow. Fautanu, who has been out for over a week, is expected to return for Week 1, which could drastically improve the situation. In the interim, the Steelers have seen Broderick Jones take on the right tackle position, while Dan Moore Jr. handles the left tackle duties. Zach Frazier, a promising rookie center, is still finding his groove.
Bill Belichick underscored the necessity of a stable offensive line, noting the challenges the team has faced. “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,” Belichick stated.
Coaching Insights
The strategic mind of current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin continues to see Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. This plan falls in line with the comments from Belichick, who emphasized the importance of getting the running game going and leveraging the strengths of their quarterback. “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 explained.
Potential New Starters
In addition to the veteran players, newcomers Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick bring fresh potential to the offensive line. Frazier, in particular, has shown promise as Pittsburgh’s starting center despite being a rookie. On the other hand, McCormick is acknowledged for his potential, although he requires more experience before making a substantial impact this season.
The Steelers' offensive line must prioritize protecting their quarterback and facilitating a productive running game to ensure success this season. As Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick's insights suggest, resolving these issues will be critical. With the anticipated return of Troy Fautanu and the growth of rookies like Frazier, there is hope that Pittsburgh can address these challenges effectively and perform strongly in the upcoming season.