It’s not often that a seasoned NFL QB’s future hinges on the performance of a young competitor. But that’s probably the scenario brewing in Pittsburgh. As the Steelers get closer to the regular season, all eyes are on the competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Adding to this intrigue, former NFL player and analyst Andrew Hawkins has also weighed in, making this QB clash even more exciting.

Hawkins made his point clear, “I feel like, enough, Russell Wilson’s future as an NFL starting quarterback is on the line throughout the rest of this training camp,” especially after the last preseason game Wilson played against the Buffalo Bills on August 17. He believes that if Fields shows off his talent in the preseason finale against the Lions, then Wilson could be in danger of losing his position.

This final preseason game means a lot to Wilson. Although his contract and experience have kept him in ‘pole position‘, one weak performance can change everything. The jersey no. 3 may be a veteran, but the young Fields’ dynamism and huddle control skills are hard to ignore. Fields’ last game against the Bills was impressive as he completed 11 of 17 passes for 92 yards, indicating that his form is improving.

On the other hand, Wilson’s calf injury has hampered his preseason performance, which is worrisome for a quarterback of his caliber. He completed 8 of 10 passes for just 47 yards, with no touchdowns to his name.

But Fields is not free of his own challenges, the biggest being his passing, as he’s trying to figure out when to play aggressively and when to play safe. Yet, the way he played against the Bills shows he’s more than just a backup option and is a legitimate contender for the QB1 position. Even HC Tomlin is placing his hopes on Fields for the time being.

Can Justin Fields make his mark in the Steelers’ preseason test?

Justin Fields could probably step in as the team’s backup QB against the Lions on August 24, 2024. And could be seen impressing everyone with his action on the gridiron of Ford Field. For every Steelers fan, this preseason finale is all about witnessing a young QB fighting to prove his worth and live up to the head coach’s expectations.

At Thursday’s press conference, Mike Tomlin made his expectations clear. He said, “I want to see him show some of the things that we’ve seen out here in a practice setting.” The coach also emphasized that the team has performed very well in practice and has shown its potential for splash plays. He also notes that he wants to see the same performance in the stadium as well.

Nothing new, but necessary. In simple words, Fields needs to score points and move the ball, which he has struggled with so far in the preseason, scoring just ten points in two games. The young QB has performed well in the practice sessions and made steady progress in training camp as well.

On the last day of the first week, he had his best performance, throwing one touchdown, one interception. Throughout the camp activities, he achieved a 50.9% completion rate, passed for 283 yards, scored 3 rushing yards and had 1 interception. Now Tomlin hopes Fields to make a big play and ignite the Steelers’ hot offense.

For the Steelers, this last preseason game will be crucial. This is a decision-making moment to determine who will be their starting quarterback. For Wilson, this game could be his last chance to secure his future. On the other hand, for Fields, this is a golden opportunity to show off his skills and establish himself at the starting position.

Besides this, dive deep into the journey of Chris Gronkowski with us on the Dual Threat Podcast with BG12. You won’t want to miss out on this one!