Why Steelers will replace Russell Wilson “early” with Justin Fields

[toffee]

According to Colin Cowherd, Wilson will be replaced early, what's your take?

 

[Palmegranite]

Interesting take, pundits are already replacing Russell Wilson after 2 or 3 losses with Justin Fields, 3 months before the season starts?

The dude that Russ staged a comeback win against last season, to put the Justin Fields-led Bears at 0-4?

Hmm, I don't see that logic. Steelers may have a so-so season with Russ, but are very likely to go 7-10 or worse with Fields. He's no way an improvement.

 

[pittpnthrs]

I predict week 4, but its more likely around week 6. Fields won't be much better if at all though.

 

[toffee]

At this point, teams ought to view Wilson as a cheap bridge, hoping he might still have some magic left. At Wilson's age, there is no planning a future around him, is there? Field may never be as good as a prime Wilson, but there's some hope that he could still improve, at least the team could sell that to the fans. I like to think selling Field's future would be easier than selling Wilson's?

 

[flv2]

Wilson isn't going to sit on the bench for veteran minimum. He doesn't get a decent NFL contract next year if he does that. He would be better off sitting at home and having NFL pundits thinking he's better and healthier than he might actually be. Bench Wilson and he's gone.

Lose Wilson and there's no good reason for Fields to play for $1.6M, ($4.3M if the NFL could claw back his pro-rata signing bonus). After all, why would he risk getting hurt playing for peanuts when he may believe he's worth his Spotrac Market Value?

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/market-value/_/id/72391/justin-fields

I don't think anyone else would believe that value but Mayfield has gone from $4M to $30M based on being average for a year. I wouldn't bench Wilson even if he's bad, but...whatever. It's the Steelers problem.

For full disclosure I didn't think Wilson would play for veteran minimum, and I thought he'd be a complete fool if he did. I was wrong...and not for the 1st time. lol.

 

[onanygivensunday]

For full disclosure I didn't think Wilson would play for veteran minimum, and I thought he'd be a complete fool if he did. I was wrong...and not for the 1st time. lol.

FWIW, the Broncos are paying him his guaranteed $39M this year... so while he signed for the vet minimum with the Stealers, he's still making a ton of money this year.

IMO, he's playing this year (at the vet minimum) to keep himself in the league.

 

[NoGain]

I do think RW's got to get out of the gate pretty fast. He's really got to change too, methinks, and by that I mean just be smart in his decision making. I could easily see Fields taking the reins at some point during this season which would probably spell the end of RW's career as a starter unless some team needs a vet QB due to injury during the season. No one's going to build around him anymore. RW was so darn lucky the Broncos gave him the money they did. He should be praising Jesus every day for that.

 

[toffee]

Wilson isn't going to sit on the bench for veteran minimum. He doesn't get a decent NFL contract next year if he does that. He would be better off sitting at home and having NFL pundits thinking he's better and healthier than he might actually be. Bench Wilson and he's gone.

Lose Wilson and there's no good reason for Fields to play for $1.6M, ($4.3M if the NFL could claw back his pro-rata signing bonus). After all, why would he risk getting hurt playing for peanuts when he may believe he's worth his Spotrac Market Value?

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/market-value/_/id/72391/justin-fields

I don't think anyone else would believe that value but Mayfield has gone from $4M to $30M based on being average for a year. I wouldn't bench Wilson even if he's bad, but...whatever. It's the Steelers problem.

For full disclosure I didn't think Wilson would play for veteran minimum, and I thought he'd be a complete fool if he did. I was wrong...and not for the 1st time. lol.

Wilson isn't a Super Star who could dictate the terms etc. anymore, he is a struggling vet who is fighting for whatever he can get at this point. The Cowherd video took the Steelers' perspective, not Wilson's.

 

[flv2]

FWIW, the Broncos are paying him his guaranteed $39M this year... so while he signed for the vet minimum with the Stealers, he's still making a ton of money this year.

IMO, he's playing this year (at the vet minimum) to keep himself in the league.

I don't think what the Broncos are paying him is relevant to what might happen in Pittsburgh. Wilson could have signed a veteran minimum contract as a back-up QB with 30 NFL teams. However, he was only linked, (and planned visits), with teams with potential starting QB spots.

Wilson's career earnings are $266.3M. He doesn't need the money. He's in the NFL for the glory, his ego, and his brand. None of that is served by his becoming a back-up to a back-up. It would also devalue his stock for 2025.

 

[Hollandhawk]

I don't know if he knows this. But people on NFL radio won't shut up about how smart the Stealers are and how stacked their QB room is .

 

[Aircrew]

I predict week 4, but its more likely around week 6. Fields won't be much better if at all though.

My thoughts exactly. If Russ loses a couple games in true Russ fashion, they'll be calling for Fields. Could be as soon as a month in to the season, but I think mid October if they're under .500.

 

[pittpnthrs]

My thoughts exactly. If Russ loses a couple games in true Russ fashion, they'll be calling for Fields. Could be as soon as a month in to the season, but I think mid October if they're under .500.

The first half of their schedule is favorable though and they will be going run heavy not asking much from Russ, but that second half is brutal with conference matchups and games against the Eagles and Chiefs.

This might be the season that is Tomlins undoing. Steeler fans have wanted him gone for sometime now as he's the AFC's Pete Carroll and a losing record might just do it.

 

[GetNjigbaWithIt]

May Pissburgh go 5-12 this season. Not because of Russ, just because it's Pissburgh

 

[RiverDog]

I just took a peek at the Steelers schedule. It's backloaded, no playoff team until Week 5 vs. the Cowboys, the only team in their first 10 games that finished 2023 with a winning record. The Ravens x2, Browns x2, Chiefs, and Eagles all appear on their back 9. The other odd thing is that they do not have a divisional game until Week 11.

If they're going to be contenders, it's absolutely critical that they get out to a fast start. Knowing this, Tomlin might have a quick hook if they struggle early.

 

[keasley45]

Wilson isn't a Super Star who could dictate the terms etc. anymore, he is a struggling vet who is fighting for whatever he can get at this point. The Cowherd video took the Steelers' perspective, not Wilson's.

Agree. The only place Russ could succeed, having the lack of knowledge he does of the QB position and how to play it in the context of leading an offense consistently, was Seattle.

Fields may have done himself little favors in Chicago, but he looked really good for stretches last year. I think that placed in an offense not requiring him to save the franchise, and one that can leverage his talents, he will do well.

Russ? There's no place in the league as a starter for a QB who cant read defenses and execute offense in the flow of a game as called by an OC. At best, he can be a D Flutie 2.0. But even at that, Doug KNEW the game of football. He was just short.

Fields will have all the motivation in the world to succeed and i think will quietly have the support (and hope) of the FO and teammates that he does so. That plus his obvious talent wins him the job (my opinon). Russ might have the motivation, but is stuck with a skillset and shortcomings he wont be able to overcome.

 

[Palmegranite]

It's all about the wins, baby.

Justin Fieldss career average is 3 and a bit wins per season.
If the Steelers expectations are a 3-14 or maybe a 4-13 regular season record, they should definately suit J.F. up to play.

 

[IndyHawk]

The OC in Pissburg loves the middle for passing,in what world does Me3 fit in this?
He could be fine for a few games with the basic run/play action until he starts wanting
to cook it up and doing only his offense.
Then you have his legs factor,they get tired as the season and hits go which leads to
his game going south.
This is a soon to be an old 36 yr old QB on his last leg.. I wish he'd just hang em up really.

 

[Rat]

I think he'll stick surprisingly long into the season. Russ might be a shell of his former self, but I think he has a good enough support system to keep them on the fringes of playoff contention which is more than comfortable enough for Tomlin.

 

[uncle fester]

The same Fields that was reported to not get on with team mates in a QB room, as well as others, last time?

I think Cowherd is skipping important details, again…

 

[Bear-Hawk]

The same Fields that was reported to not get on with team mates in a QB room, as well as others, last time?

I think Cowherd is skipping important details, again…

Cowherd is not a reliable source. I’m sure Justin will get a shot at QB1 with the Steelers, but the exact timing depends on a bunch of presently unknowable factors.