In the dynamic and often unforgiving landscape of the NFL, the quarterback position stands as the linchpin of a team’s success, a reality that the Pittsburgh Steelers have grappled with in recent years.
Following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, who was at the helm for two Super Bowl victories and an illustrious 18-year career ending after the 2021 season, the Steelers have found themselves teetering on the edge of the dreaded quarterback carousel that has ensnared many NFL teams for years, if not decades.
Post-Roethlisberger, the Steelers’ efforts to find a stable successor have led them through a tumultuous period marked by inconsistency at the quarterback position.
Over the subsequent two seasons, the team cycled through three quarterbacks—Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph.
This trio struggled to make a decisive impact, collectively throwing nearly as many interceptions (23) as touchdowns (24). This imbalance in performance is mirrored in Pittsburgh’s records over those seasons, which were a middling 10-7 in 2022 and 9-8 in 2023, showcasing a team struggling to regain its competitive edge.
In a bold move to revamp their offensive strategy and stabilize the quarterback position, the Steelers overhauled their roster this offseason. They dismissed their previous quarterbacks and welcomed Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator, tasked with designing an effective offensive scheme.
In addition, they ventured into the free agency and trading market, securing former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, both acquired for what many considered bargain prices. However, the adage “you get what you pay for” loomed as a cautionary backdrop to these transactions.
As the Steelers concluded their organized team activities and wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp earlier this month, insights from Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo painted a mixed picture of the new acquisitions’ integration into the team.
While Russell Wilson was settling into a leadership role, Justin Fields’ performance during practice sessions left something to be desired.
“Fields, from what I’ve seen after a month of spring practices, is undoubtedly a terrific athlete, but the concerns that I heard about his accuracy and ball placement have unfortunately been confirmed,” Fittipaldo commented. He suggested that while Fields might see some play depending on the weekly matchup, the team is shaping up to be led predominantly by Wilson.
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Despite Fields’ struggle with accuracy and the high expectations set by his “high ceiling” following his No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, there remains a faction of the fanbase hopeful to see him develop into the starting quarterback.
At 25 years old, Fields certainly has room to grow and improve, contrasting with the 35-year-old Wilson, whose peak years might be behind him. Yet, head coach Mike Tomlin has leaned towards starting Wilson, citing the need for Fields to further develop his skills.
The Steelers are at a critical juncture, with their recent decisions at quarterback reflecting both an urgent need to stabilize their offense and a cautious optimism about their future.
The success of these moves will ultimately be tested in the coming seasons as Pittsburgh strives to avoid the pitfalls of the quarterback carousel and reestablish themselves as contenders in the NFL.
