The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback problem does not have an easy answer. Though Russell Wilson has more big plays than Justin Fields, the former Chicago Bears quarterback has been responsible for more red zone touchdowns.

Fields also has a better red zone QBR and completion percentage than Wilson, but 90% of Wilson’s red zone drives have turned into points, while 83.8% of Fields’ finished with points. Of those drives, 40% of Wilson’s have been touchdowns versus 50% of Fields’ resulting in touchdowns.

While Wilson has still been more effective at moving the ball down the field, Fields has been more efficient in the red zone. That doesn’t mean the Steelers need a change at quarterback, but it could indicate the need to change how and when the Steelers deploy Fields. Meanwhile, his injury in week 15 during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles has further complicated matters. He was injured when he was running a read-option play and was hit late as he was sliding by Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. With this, looks like the Steelers’ quarterback situation is likely to continue as they are set to face the Chiefs on Christmas day.

Fields is expected to miss his second straight game, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He will be the Steelers’ emergency QB for the game. “QB Justin Fields (abdominal) is unlikely to play and will most likely serve as the third (emergency) QB…” Fields did not practice on Monday and was limited on Tuesday before being listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game.

Fields was also not dressed against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, with Kyle Allen serving as the team’s backup quarterback. Allen is once again expected to be the team’s backup quarterback against the Chiefs, though Fields will dress as the emergency third quarterback this week.

While Fields isn’t starting as of now, the Steelers seem open to shaking things up if Wilson’s performance is the same as last game. And Fields, who is known for his mobility and sharp passing, has built a solid stat line this season: 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, one pick, and a 93.3 QB rating. So, these stats do tell that he is no stranger to pressure, and his dual-threat ability might be exactly a game-changer as well.

They are trying to inject some energy into the offense as they roll. And let’s be honest, Justin Fields brings a certain unpredictability that could ‘possibly’ tip the scales against a team as stacked as the Chiefs. Like his speed or his passing skills, even just a small margin can change the game.

Now, let’s talk numbers. Yeah, numbers we talked about Justin Fields’ limited action so far but that has been efficient with 65.8% completion, 161 attempts, and a knack for making plays with his legs. Add in his recent partnership with EssentiaWater, and you can see why ‘relentless ambition’ isn’t just a tagline for him it is how he’s wired. If Fields gets his chance, he won’t hesitate to make it count.

QB Struggles are hard to ignore

Speaking of Wilson, his recent form has been a rollercoaster. Just last week against the Ravens, he threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, which is good. But his day was dragged in the mud by a costly second-quarter fumble and a pick-six in the fourth. Fans were quick to call him out, even though he labeled the turnover “unacceptable.” The Steelers suffered a crushing 34-17 defeat. For someone who’s built his career on consistency, people are quick to call out these kinds of mistakes.

So, what’s next for Russ? Despite the struggles, Wilson confirmed he isn’t planning on retiring anytime soon. In fact, he expressed his wish to return to the Steelers for the 2025 season. Wilson still has his sights set on playing for a few more years “I definitely want to play another five to seven years” and is determined to help the team contend for championships and “hopefully, get to win a Super Bowl”. With Fields waiting in the wings and the playoffs approaching. It’s clear that Wilson’s future with the Steelers is far from certain. If the turnovers continue, it might be time to consider a change.

Meanwhile, let’s not forget the Chiefs. They’ve only dropped one game all season and are riding high into this matchup. A loss here wouldn’t shake their playoff standing, but it would put a dent in their near-perfect season. Whether the Steelers capitalize on Wilson’s decline or Fields gets his moment to shine. One thing’s for sure: this game is worth watching. Stay tuned it’s about to get so real.