With the Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason in full swing, the pressing question on everyone's mind is who will step into the starting quarterback role. Despite the anticipation, seasoned coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick are confident that the decision isn't as perplexing as it may seem to outsiders.
The battle for the starting quarterback position has seen Russell Wilson maintaining an edge over Justin Fields. However, neither quarterback has led a scoring drive culminating in a touchdown during preseason play, a concern that cannot be solely laid at their feet. The inefficiencies have been largely attributed to the subpar performance of the offensive line.
Impact of Offensive Line Struggles
A crucial player in the offensive line, Troy Fautanu, has been sidelined with an injury but is expected to return for Week 1. His absence has undoubtedly left a void. Meanwhile, newcomer Zach Frazier has shown promise as Pittsburgh’s starting center, but his rookie status means he still requires time to fully acclimate.
“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,” observed Bill Belichick.
A Tough Decision Made Easier
When asked about the quarterback dilemma, Bill Cowher suggested a pragmatic approach: “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 emphasized, highlighting the need to manage the young quarterback’s confidence and development carefully.
Run Game - The Missing Spark
Belichick turned his attention to the broader challenges the Steelers face, particularly in the running game. “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.”
Experts widely agree that addressing the offensive line issues is crucial for any quarterback's success. The Steelers’ offensive line's ability to protect their quarterback and facilitate a productive running game remains paramount. Ensuring Wilson has sufficient protection and Field's skills are leveraged correctly could be the key to optimizing the Steelers' offensive capabilities this season.
Historical Perspective
Reflecting on the Steelers' past, the franchise has faced quarterback conundrums before. In 1996, Mike Tomczak was chosen over Kordell Stewart to start, which paid off with a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance, despite falling in the divisional round. The current head coach, Mike Tomlin, appears to be adopting a similar approach by sticking with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, banking on experience and proven resilience in high-pressure situations.
Anticipation Builds
As the Steelers edge closer to the season opener, the return of Troy Fautanu could bring much-needed stability to the offensive line. Meanwhile, the development of newcomers like Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick will be monitored closely, with McCormick needing more experience to make a significant impact. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if the offensive line can rise to the challenge and provide ample support for whoever takes the leading role under center.
The decisions made in these weeks will undoubtedly shape the Steelers' trajectory this season. With veteran guidance and promising young talent, Pittsburgh aims to resolve these uncertainties and return to their illustrious winning ways.