The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as they debate their starting quarterback for the upcoming NFL season. With Russell Wilson maintaining dominance in the race, the conversation has shifted to the performance and potential of the offensive line rather than the quarterbacks themselves.
A Veteran's Perspective
Bill Cowher, a seasoned coach, expressed his thoughts on the quarterback dilemma, favoring Russell Wilson as the starter. "You start the season with Russell. If Justin Fields starts as the second guy, have a package of plays. If all of a sudden you need a spark -- something to get your offense going again -- put [Fields] in. If you have to take Russell out, he’s been there before. It’s not going to destroy his confidence. I don’t want to start Justin Fields and then feel like I have to make a change and take him out. Limit the expectations on Justin Fields. Let him be Justin Fields," Cowher said.
Another respected voice in the coaching world, Bill Belichick, echoed the sense of confidence in Wilson while pointing to the broader issues facing the team. "Arthur [Smith] is a great fit for that offense -- for what Coach Tomlin wants. They need to get the running game going. They have good backs. They need to get those backs started. Russell's good out of the pocket. He’ll be able to hit those play action and passes," Belichick noted.
Challenges on the Offensive Line
One of the most pressing concerns for the Steelers is the substandard performance of their offensive line, which has struggled to protect the quarterback and generate effective drives. Key player Troy Fautanu has been sidelined due to injury, which has only exacerbated the line's inefficiencies. Fautanu, who has been out for over a week, is expected to return for Week 1, a glimmer of hope in an otherwise challenging scenario.
Belichick summed up the situation succinctly: "I think they have bigger problems than the quarterback position. That’s my opinion. I think that the defense is a pretty solid unit. The offensive line had a hard time being consistent. They lost the tackle [Troy Fautanu]. Now they’ve got [Broderick] Jones over there playing right tackle. Dan [Moore Jr.] is playing left tackle. Inside they have a rookie center, [Zach] Frazier. He’s got a way to go. The guards, they’ve had some issues, too, in the first two preseason games."
Rookies Showing Promise
Focusing on new talent, rookie center Zach Frazier has shown great promise. While his inexperience is evident, his potential to grow into a key player for the Steelers is clear. Alongside him, Mason McCormick, another rookie, holds potential but requires more experience to make a significant impact this season.
The Steelers are not without hope. The return of Fautanu and the continued development of Frazier and McCormick are pivotal steps toward solidifying the offensive line. As it stands, Broderick Jones and Dan Moore Jr. are holding the fort at right and left tackle, respectively. Their performance will be under scrutiny as the regular season approaches.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
Looking back, the Steelers have faced similar quarterback controversies. In 1996, Mike Tomczak started over Kordell Stewart and led the team to a 10-6 record, ultimately falling in the divisional round of the playoffs. Fast forward to today, and current head coach Mike Tomlin is continuing with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, drawing comparisons and lessons from past decisions.
Experts emphasize that resolving issues with the offensive line is crucial for the quarterback's success. The line's ability to protect their quarterback and facilitate a productive running game is paramount for the Steelers' overall success. With solid coaching and the right adjustments, Pittsburgh aims to overcome these early obstacles and make a strong showing this season.
As the Steelers gear up for the start of the season, all eyes will be on the offensive line and its ability to adapt, protect, and create opportunities. The decisions made in these final days of preseason could well define the trajectory of their campaign.