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Greg Auman
NFC South Reporter
Back in March, with two new quarterbacks who have both been NFL starters, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin used the phrase “pole position” to describe veteran Russell Wilson’s status ahead of fellow newcomer Justin Fields.
Wilson’s experience in leading a team year-round gave him that offseason edge, Tomlin explained, while also making it clear that the 25-year-old Fields would be given “an opportunity to show his capabilities” at training camp and during the preseason.
Wilson, 35, missed much of the first week of training camp with a calf injury sustained pushing a sled in conditioning work, but even before he was back as a full participant Tuesday, Tomlin had made it clear “nothing has changed” in his pecking order.
Few NFL teams got less out of the quarterback position than the Steelers did last year — 13 total passing touchdowns in 17 games, with Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph all starting multiple games. Though Pittsburgh still went 10-7 and made the playoffs, all three quarterbacks are gone, with Pickett traded to the Eagles, Trubisky signing with the Bills and Rudolph with the Titans.
At a time when top passers are making $50 million a year and more, Pittsburgh’s quarterback reset is also unique, with very little resources invested in Wilson and Fields. The Broncos wanted to move on from Wilson enough that they are paying him $39 million not to play for them, freeing him to sign with any team for the league minimum of $1.21 million. Fields, a starter the past three years with the Bears, was displaced when Chicago took Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall draft pick. Fields’ trade market was cool enough that Pittsburgh acquired him for a conditional 2025 draft pick no higher than a fourth-rounder and is paying him only $1.62 million.
Is the Steelers’ quarterback of the future on this roster? The goal is to find that answer while continuing a remarkable run of 17…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/russell-wilson-track-steelers-qb1-justin-fields-ready-his-shot
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Publish date : 2024-07-31 15:20:15
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