Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has ridden the hot hand quarterback before.
Last year, Tomlin started backup Mason Rudolph over a healthy Kenny Pickett in Week 18 and again in the playoffs after Rudolph had led the Steelers to two consecutive wins.
Based on the results of today’s game against the Denver Broncos, history could repeat itself.
Justin Fields, who did not turn the ball over in an 18-10 win over the Falcons, will start again in Denver, sources say. The former Bears first-round pick, who impressed in camp while Russell Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury, must follow a similar script: Execute the game plan, take care of the football and let one of the NFL’s best defenses perform.
If that happens, don’t be surprised if Tomlin continues to have Fields start, sources say, even if Wilson has recovered from his aggravated calf injury. It would not necessarily be a benching, but more of a continuation of what is working under center.
Wilson is getting closer to a return. He traveled to Denver on Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Week 2, though Tomlin told reporters that a questionable designation means the likelihood to start is less so.
Wilson was ruled inactive before kickoff on Sunday, and is once again the Steelers’ emergency third quarterback against his former team..
Tomlin was asked on Tuesday about the possibility of Fields keeping the starting job over Wilson, who was named QB1 ahead of the regular season but was limited in practice leading up to Week 1 after his experiencing calf tightness.
“I’m not going to soothe you with hypothetical scenarios,” Tomlin said, explaining that he’ll allow the injured players’ participation to be his guide. “Our energies and attention are on those that are available and are scheduled to play. When those that are not [get] healthy, we’ll ponder it at that time.”
That’s different from saying Wilson is the starter when he’s healthy. It’s also not saying that Fields will be anointed starter in Week 3 if all goes well. There is still the thought that Wilson can be a successful starter for this team and may well eventually be. But if Fields starts the season 2-0, taking him out might not make sense.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was asked what he saw from Fields in last week’s win over the Falcons: “He was very disciplined. He wasn’t greedy. When the shots were there, we took advantage of them.”
Fields went 17-of-23 passing for 156 yards against Atlanta with an additional 57 yards on the ground.
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