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Debate

Should the Steelers gamble on Justin Fields or stick with the seasoned Russell Wilson?

Let’s talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback room—because, wow, it’s getting spicy every day! Steelers fans have been buzzing ever since Justin Fields was brought over from the Chicago Bears, but the heat just got turned up a notch. Every day, we keep guessing what’s next and Justin doesn’t fail to disappoint us!

Amid all the tension, the QB came under fire on Tuesday for his alleged doubtfulness in the pocket. This criticism ties back to one of the main issues people had with Fields in Chicago: they said he was too slow to make decisions. However, here is where things get really interesting—ESPN Insider Mike Tannenbaum dropped some major tea.

According to him, Coach Mike Tomlin seems to be leaning toward Russell Wilson as the Steelers’ starting quarterback. Yep, you heard that right. It sounds like Tomlin’s favoring the experienced player over the young QB, at least for now. In the latest episode of Get Up, Tannenbaum said, “Now look, can they squeeze a year out of them? I’m sure they’re hoping so. But to me, if it’s close as we get closer to the opening day, I would go with Justin Fields because he’s 10 years younger. But reading the tea leaves, I get the sense that Mike T. is leaning towards Russell Wilson.”

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The ESPN insider not only discussed Wilson’s age issues but also raised concerns about Field’s performance. He also threw some light on the quickness and rush consistency that Russell might face as an aging player. Justin Fields had a chance to separate himself. He didn’t take advantage of it. But look, Russell Wilson’s turning 36. And when you’re evaluating an aging quarterback greenie, it’s from the waist down. And as Graz mentioned earlier, Russell Wilson is a diminished-skill player,” he added.

With all the buzz going about whether Justin or Fields will be the starting QB, things really took a wrong turn when former athletes and analysts like Bart Scott jumped into the picture, throwing shade his way, and blaming him for “burping the baby.”

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What’s the deal with all this talk about Justin Fields’ “inability to handle pressure”

What’s your perspective on:

Should the Steelers gamble on Justin Fields or stick with the seasoned Russell Wilson?

Have an interesting take?

On August 13, Sports analyst and former football player, Bart Scott didn’t hold back on Justin Fields. He compared Fields’ hesitation, or as Scott put it, “burping the baby,” to Tim Tebow’s old habits in practice. According to Scott, this kind of delay puts serious pressure on the offensive tackles and just can’t happen. On Tuesday morning’s “Get Up” episode, Scott said, “This guy continuously burps the baby. I hate for my friend Tim Tebow to take strays, but that reminds me of Tim Tebow in practice. You just can’t do that. When a play breaks down, you burp the baby like that. You put the offensive tackles in a bind.”

Critics have raised concerns over multiple issues in Fields’ play. His minicamp performances were a bit of a rollercoaster, sparking debate about whether he’s truly ready to lead a team like the Steelers. Accuracy issues, pocket presence struggles—these are the kinds of red flags that disappoint fans. And with Pittsburgh hoping for a bounce-back, every small mistake can have a huge impact. Yet, Fields isn’t just a quarterback—he’s a dual threat, with legs that can keep defenses guessing. His potential is hard to ignore, even if his game has been slower than some hoped. But in a league that’s all about “what have you done for me lately,” potential isn’t always enough to keep the game going.

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So, why is Tomlin eyeing Wilson? Simple: experience. Wilson’s been through the NFL wars—he has won, made records, tasted the leadership chops, and the calm under pressure that you just can’t teach. Tomlin knows what Wilson brings to the table. He’s seen him shine in high-pressure situations, and that’s exactly what the Steelers need right now—a quarterback who can stabilize the ship and guide them through the storm. Wilson might not be the best option, but he’s the kind of guy who knows how to win.

As we head to the NFL 2024, all eyes will be on Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Will Wilson’s experience win out? Or will Fields surprise everyone and grab the starting job? One thing’s for sure: the Steelers’ quarterback situation is far from settled, and the next few weeks are going to be must-watch. With the QB tension going on, let’s see what the future holds for the Steelers!