The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in a heated debate over who should start as their quarterback. The seasoned coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick have weighed in, suggesting that the decision might not be as complex as it appears to those outside the team.
Quarterback Debate
Among the contenders, Russell Wilson has maintained an edge over Justin Fields in the quarterback race. However, neither Wilson nor Fields has managed to lead a drive that resulted in a touchdown during preseason play. This inefficiency is largely attributed to the substandard performance of the offensive line.
Bill Cowher believes Russell Wilson should start the season, with Justin Fields prepared to step in as needed. "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 stated.
Offensive Line Struggles
The offensive line's troubles have been a critical factor in the team's preseason struggles. Key offensive lineman Troy Fautanu has been sidelined due to injury but is expected to return for Week 1. His absence has significantly impacted the line's performance. In his place, Broderick Jones has taken up the role of right tackle, while Dan Moore Jr. is playing left tackle. At the center position, newcomer Zach Frazier shows great promise but needs more experience.
Belichick also commented on the state of the offensive line, highlighting the need for improvement. "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." He added, "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."
Potential and Challenges
Despite the offensive line's difficulties, there is a reason for optimism. Zach Frazier, although a rookie, has already shown great promise as Pittsburgh’s starting center. Another rookie, Mason McCormick, holds potential but requires more experience before making a significant impact this season.
The Steelers' current head coach, Mike Tomlin, seems to be continuing with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. Expert opinions suggest that resolving the issues with the offensive line is crucial for the quarterback’s success. The ability of the offensive line to protect their quarterback and facilitate a productive running game is seen as paramount for the Steelers' overall success this season.
In a historical context, similar tough decisions have been made by the Steelers coaching staff. In 1996, Mike Tomczak started over Kordell Stewart, leading the team to a 10-6 record and a spot in the divisional round of the playoffs.
As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on the Steelers to see who ultimately takes the starting quarterback position and whether the offensive line can rise to the occasion. The decisions made now will significantly impact the team's performance and potential success this season.