Less than a week away from kickoff, Russell Wilson being named the Steelers QB1 for the opener seemed inevitable since the day he signed. Despite Mike Tomlin insisting there was an open QB competition and they were weighing their options, many questioned whether it was a real QB competition or not. In the end, seniority and tenure in the league won this preseason.
Wilson’s experience and leadership qualities make him a safer bet to lead the Steelers’ offense from the get-go. What separates the two quarterbacks is the amount of game reps in high-pressure situations that align well with Tomlin’s philosophy. As the Steelers look to make their mark in a competitive AFC North, Wilson’s presence under center can hopefully reduce some stress that previous Steelers QB’s have induced.
Mike Tomlin’s Quarterback Philosophy
Tomlin always gives the veteran the upper hand. Same reason fans saw Trubisky start Week 1 in 2022. He emphasized Wilson’s experience, noting, “Russ’ resume is a unique one in terms of length and success.” This perspective highlights Tomlin’s belief that a quarterback’s past achievements and exposure to various game situations was the ultimate deciding factor. Starting Justin Fields now would be the same mistake the Bears made. A lot of flashes, but from a consistency level, higher risk, higher reward. With Russ Wilson, fans know what they are getting and have probably only set the bar lower after his stint in Denver.
Mike Tomlin on why the Steelers chose Russell Wilson as QB1. 💪
— theScore (@theScore) August 28, 2024
(🎥: @MarkKaboly)pic.twitter.com/o6ZK9vlkhZ https://t.co/JifK8aMkUW
This is gonna be me in my living room after Russell Wilson throws a 70 yard TD pass to George Pickens week one against the Falcons. pic.twitter.com/MqWioEVgyq
— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) August 29, 2024
Ball Security & Minimizing Sacks
These are the two most crucial aspects. Losing the turnover battle and getting behind the sticks is the recipe for losing football games. For Wilson, this focus aligns well with his performance last season, where he threw 26 touchdowns against only 8 interceptions. This kind of goes under the radar because the first year was such a disaster and he could never recover. Even with flashes of getting back on track his rifting relationship with Broncos HC, Sean Payton was not savable.
While not explicitly mentioned, the issue of sacks pertains to both Wilson and Justin Fields, who struggled in this area this past season. Tomlin’s approach likely involves working on pocket presence and quick decision-making to address this concern. Mason Rudolph showcased this the best of all the QBs last year. This was was why he was able to fight off Trubisky and Pickett who took a series of bad sacks throughout the 2023 season. The other alternative would be to let Justin Fields try to make plays with his legs. With all fans saw this preseason from the offensive line, it would not be the best approach. Fields would end up in the hospital by Week 6.
Wilson’s Fit with Steelers’ Offensive Weapons
Any third down situation offensively has been a nightmare for Steelers fans the past few season. During their last preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Wilson found George Pickens for a crucial 32-yard completion on third-and-11. This play was instrumental in the Steelers’ first-team offense reaching the end zone for the first time in the preseason. Their inability to convert on third downs and maintain drives always leads to the downfall of a good defense.
Seeking Redemption
The new Wilson chapter will either be a story of resurgence or an exit as a starter in this league. This decision by Mike Tomlin reflects a win now approach, trying to bring stability to a roster that has seen many changes. While Justin Fields presents an exciting prospect with his athleticism and potential, the Steelers are not looking for the home run plays. The choice is based on looking for methodical consistency from the entire group led by Wilson instead. If this approach succeeds it allows the Steelers to provides a safer runway for Justin Fields to get a better grip of the playbook before any starting opportunity in Pittsburgh.
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