The Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback situation remains unclear after a 9-3 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. Russell Wilson returned from a calf injury but struggled to move the ball, only earning one first down through the air in five drives. Justin Fields took over in the second quarter but also had difficulty producing at quarterback, only leading the team to one successful field goal. Head coach Mike Tomlin expressed disappointment in the team’s performance, noting that the blame doesn’t solely fall on the quarterbacks as the offensive line play was inconsistent.
Both Wilson and Fields joined the Steelers this offseason to compete for the starting quarterback position. Wilson, who was released by the Denver Broncos, signed a one-year deal with the Steelers after two lackluster seasons with the Broncos. Fields, acquired in a trade from the Chicago Bears, has shown potential as a passer and runner during his time with the Bears but has struggled with consistency and turnover issues. The Steelers are looking for one of the two quarterbacks to assert themselves as the clear starter in the final preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
Despite the disappointing performance against the Bills, Wilson and Fields both have another opportunity to showcase their skills in the upcoming game. Wilson finished the game 8-10 for 47 yards, while Fields was 11-17 for 92 passing yards with eight carries for over 42 yards. The Steelers’ offense as a whole struggled to find rhythm, with Tomlin pointing out the challenges of establishing a flow when the team was unable to convert possession downs.
Tomlin emphasized that the quarterbacks weren’t solely to blame for the lackluster offensive performance, citing inconsistent offensive line play and struggles throughout the entire offense in finding a rhythm. Despite improvements in some areas, Tomlin described the performance as “JV in too many others.” The Steelers will look to see significant improvement in the final preseason game as they evaluate which quarterback will lead the team into the regular season as the starter.
The battle for the starting quarterback position remains ongoing for the Pittsburgh Steelers as Wilson and Fields continue to compete for the role. Wilson, who signed with the team in March, will seek to prove himself after being released by the Broncos following a string of lackluster seasons. Fields, acquired in a trade from the Bears, brings potential as a passer and runner but has struggled with turnovers throughout his career. The upcoming preseason game against the Lions will provide one final opportunity for the two quarterbacks to stake their claim as the starter for the regular season.
