The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to play both QBs against the NY Jets

The Pittsburgh Steelers will use Russell Wilson at quarterback for this Sunday’s primetime game against the New York Jets, but Justin Fields is also expected, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Steelers’ starting Wilson hasn’t been a very well-kept secret all week, even though head coach Mike Tomlin repeatedly refused to make the designation official. NFL Network first reported Tuesday that Wilson was expected to be in the starting lineup, teammates announced Wilson would take first-team reps, and both Fields and Wilson appeared to hint at that decision during their media sessions Thursday. Wide receiver George Pickens said Friday that Wilson will make his “first start” this week.

But whether and how much Fields is expected to play is unclear. The Chicago Bears’ three-year starter and former first-round draft pick started each of the Steelers’ first six games of the 2024 season and led the team to a 4-2 record.

Fields played the best football of his career during this time. He currently holds career highs in completion percentage (66.3%), passer rating (93.9), adjusted net yards per attempt (5.89), interceptions rate (0.6%) and sack rate (9th). .09%).

But Fields was able to achieve this largely by taking very few risks with the football and using his legs to accomplish a lot. Through six weeks, Fields ranks 23rd in passing yards and 19th in adjusted yards per attempt. His 231 rushing yards rank him fifth among NFL quarterbacks, and his five rushing touchdowns rank him fifth among all NFL players.

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Therefore, it makes sense for the Steelers to use him as a second quarterback, especially to bring his athleticism and ability as a runner to the field, especially since the team probably doesn’t want the 35-year-old Wilson to take a lot of hits.

“They’re at different points in their careers,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said Thursday. “It’s the give and take. Apparently everyone saw it. It was definitely a weapon for us. Especially in situational football. That’s okay. You just turn around and lean into something else, and that’s what you do. That’s our job.”

Both Smith and Tomlin acknowledged the possibility of using both quarterbacks but declined to specify their exact intentions.