Just-in case Russell Wilson Stinks..

This whole Russell Wilson situation is spelling disaster for the Steelers. This isn't speculation on Wilson's play, I will not sit here and tell you why I think he is going to have a rough time, to say the least coming off a calf injury into an offensive line that will require him to scramble to save his life. I don't want to talk about the rust he will have after not playing in a regular season game since December 25th of last year. No, I don't wanna talk about how he was sacked 45 times last year making him the 4th most sacked QB of 2023. No, I am not going to sit here and talk about all that.

What I want to talk about is how I think this is going to create a quarterback controversy that is completely unnecessary, one that the Steelers desperately should be trying to avoid after the last two years of the Kenny Pickett saga. Even if this works out for Russ and the Steelers continue to win, this will be bad. 

My first reason should be obvious, Justin Fields is still playing well and should be focused on for the future. Russell was supposed to be a band aid, one that they could rip off easily after the 24' season. Once we acquired Justin Fields he was supposed to be a sherpa if you will, someone to guide Fields into the future. Now he looks more like a hindrance that will most likely cause a division in the locker room, between fans, and ultimately, not be his problem next season.

If Justin Fields came into this season with a losing record, and no upside, sure, this move would make sense. That is not the case though, and while Fields has room to improve, he looks better than what we have had in the last four or so years leading this offense. Considering the Steelers put up 32 points last week against the Raiders, something they failed to do until week 15 last season, I think it's fair to say Fields has been a shining light with an abysmal offensive line.

Russell will now come in and hopefully try to prove his worth. Knowing that the Steelers in all likelihood will not be giving him another contract, it is in his best interest to showcase he can still play, making himself marketable for next season. If he can get this team to the playoffs, it's only going to improve his value and get him a better contract on another team next season.

Russell, to no fault of his own, should be playing selfishly this season. He should want to put up numbers and stats and not care about the team in a sense, and I can't blame him.

But where does this leave Fields?

Well, according to the coaching staff, Fields has been more than humble and relayed that he is here to do whatever is asked of him, whatever is needed. If that is the case, more power to him. I think he is maturing every day with this team and it shows. If he can stay humble behind Russ for the time being then good on him and I hope he learns more under the veteran QB and is a better player because of it.

Worst case, I think Fields lets the controversy talk get to him. I think if Russ doesn't come out winning games, and this town, and locker room start talking about wanting Fields back as the starter, this is going to mess with him. 

Not to mention if Mike Tomlin keeps playing this will he, won't he, game every week it will just continue to make things difficult for all involved. The receiving core is already not the happiest bunch, George Pickens has already shown his temperament of wanting the ball. Having this revolving door at the most important position is not doing anyone any favors.

The bottom line, decisions need to be made, Tomlin needs to be decisive moving forward, and if Fields truly is the future for this team, he needs to know that. 

The last thing I want to see as a fan is to see Russ come out and stink. I honestly want him to do well and if he can take this team to the playoffs then I am here for it. But what I do not want to see as a fan is Tomlin having to make the decision every week about who to start, playing guessing games, and making everyone question what the offense will look like week to week.

I think we as Steelers fans deserve some consistency, and most importantly, not just a winning season, we deserve playoff wins.