The Steelers entered the offseason with some expectation of shaking up their quarterbacks room. However, Steelers general manager Omar Khan admitted this week that he never would have imagined the team adding both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
“I’m excited about both of those players,” Khan said earlier this week (via Dale Lolley of the team’s website). “They’re both really good quarterbacks. If you would have told me a month ago in Indy that we’d be here and Russell Wilson and Justin Fields would be our quarterbacks, I’d say, I’d be a little bit surprised.”
When the season ended with yet another one-and-done playoff appearance, Khan gave Kenny Pickett a vote of confidence. At the same time, the GM acknowledged that the Steelers would likely add some competition at the position. That mentality didn’t last too long, as both Russell (via free agency) and Fields (via trade) were acquired thanks to massive discounts. The Steelers were also able to find a trade partner for Pickett in the Eagles, allowing them to completely reset their QB depth chart. Despite the sudden pivot, Khan made it clear that it had nothing to do with Pickett’s ability.
“Nothing has changed. I still have a lot of faith in Kenny Pickett,” Khan said. “Kenny’s a good football player, a good quarterback. I think he’s got a big future in the NFL. Things just kind of evolved. I couldn’t really have foreseen that things would go the way they did.”
Now, the Steelers will shift their focus to their two new signal callers. Mike Tomlin made it clear this week that Wilson is in “pole position” to be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, although Fields will eventually have the “opportunity to compete” when the time comes. Tomlin noted the advantage of having clarity at the position, which is why he’s been straightforward when discussing his team’s QB plan.
“We’ve been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start,” Tomlin said earlier this week (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He’s got a proven process of readiness. He’s been in this league a long time. He’s capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends, running backs, et cetera. He’s just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar and I just think that that’s something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from.”
While the Steelers were clearly active in the QB market, the team didn’t pursue the biggest available name. Tomlin told reporters (including Pryor) that the Steelers didn’t make a run at Kirk Cousins, who ended up getting $180MM from the Falcons.
“Nothing has changed. I still have a lot of faith in Kenny Pickett,” Khan said. “Kenny’s a good football player, a good quarterback. I think he’s got a big future in the NFL. Things just kind of evolved. I couldn’t really have foreseen that things would go the way they did.”
What’s he supposed to say? “I suckered the Eagles, this guy’s a basket case.”
“We’ve been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start,” Tomlin said earlier this week (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He’s got a proven process of readiness. He’s been in this league a long time. He’s capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends, running backs, et cetera. He’s just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar and I just think that that’s something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from.”
Dan Marino is also a veteran, man. Doesn’t mean he should start for you.
Just get your finger off the scale and let them compete for real.
If they let them compete, it would become obvious neither belongs on the field. At least this way they can pivot halfway through the year and keep fans engaged a few extra weeks. Never seen people be so happy about getting a washed up QB on his 3rd team in 4 years, whose last team took an unprecedented dead cap hit just to get him out the building. Not to mention their new backup is the definition of first round bust. Nothing against the Steelers or their fans, but please join the rest of us in reality.
Not saying any of that is wrong, per se, but…
Are you fully aware of just how bad Pickett, Trubisky and Rudolph (he was good compared to them, for sure, but still) were last year?
If you were, you’d understand why it’s inconceivable to said fans that anyone else would not be an upgrade.
Yeah, I have to agree. Fields has at least proven he could keep his team competitive with his ability to impact the running game and occasionally make some plays with his arm as well.
I think playing behind a potentially better OL, having more weapons, and getting a new change if scenery could do Fields some good.
He just needs to learn to trust his receivers, get rid of the ball, and stop overthrowing every decision he makes.
After all, it isn’t like the Bears really did a good job of putting him in any kind of position to be successful. Coaching changes, a lack of weapons, etc. those are difficult circumstances for anyone.
If anything, Fields has proven he won’t win in this league unless he changes his decision making. He’s athletic and it’s worked well for him in some games, but his decision making, especially when playing elite team’s, won’t work in his favor.
It helps that Fields will be coached by someone who can run an offense and someone who can work with quarterbacks and not Canada (gone) or Tomlin directly.
I get that was a terrible QB room last year, and these guys at least have name value but, I also think it’s unrealistic to expect these two to be better. Different, yes, but better? They aren’t a difference maker, so it’s hard to see how they can have more success. Neither one of these guys are erasing any of the losses from last year. I think it’s too early to declare the Steelers back in perennial playoff contention until they prove last year wasn’t a fluke.
Playoff contention? They’ve been perennially in playoff contention Tomlin’s entire career. The whole “never below .500” thing is a running joke among us. Replace what you said with “perennial Super Bowl contention” and I mean, yeah, no ****, but “back” implies they ever fell out of playoff contention, which they have not in…decades.
Even when they are bad they still get our hopes up until the final game or two.
Wilson was better this last season than the Steelers QB’s were. He is an upgrade. Fields is probably a marginal upgrade, as well
Almost have to laugh at what a non-story this is. I mean, was it that much of a down day for pro football news that someone wrote this puff piece
“The latest?” There’s nothing new here and even if we were talking midget level football there would be some modicum of competition between starter and back-ups. Sheesh
I have to wonder if MLBTR staff has been watching too much of the talking heads on the ESPN morning shows
As it sits right now, the “quarterback room” in Pittsburgh is a thousand times better than it was last year, from coaches down to athletic and football talent. It’s not even close
It’s funny that an article like this seems to throw cold water on the Steelers front office and coach as if the public is owed some peek into its thinking going into the off season. Maybe Khan and company should tip off media about the team’s intentions moving into each off season