Time and healing.
That’s the reality check when it comes to the status of Russell Wilson. The veteran quarterback was a full participant in a Pittsburgh Steelers practice for the first time in weeks on Wednesday, his nagging right calf injury having progressed to the point that suggests coach Mike Tomlin’s big decision about inserting Wilson into the starting lineup could come as early as this weekend with the team (3-2) looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
Yes, Justin Fields has been better than many may have expected as the fill-in quarterback, fueling the hot takes that the 35-year-old Wilson may never get the starting nod. It’s the stuff that quarterback controversies are made of. And it has had serious legs (no pun intended) ever since Wilson came up lame during the first week of training camp in July and Fields showed flashes every step of the way to raise the stakes.
But let’s face it: The Steelers did not lure Wilson to Pittsburgh to have him not get a legitimate shot to revive a career with two Super Bowl appearances on the resume.
Great, Fields, 25, has proven viable and maybe a promising long-term option. He’s avoided sacks left and right behind an inconsistent offensive line, using his nifty feet to scoot left and right to get out of trouble. He’s forced opposing defenses to be on alert for the designed runs that new coordinator Arthur Smith probably won’t be calling much with Wilson. And Fields’ ball-security has been tight, evidenced by his one interception through five games and a pass efficiency rating (97.1) that would be the highest of his career if it holds up for the whole season.
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Yet Fields has some limitations, too, which was on display during the 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, when his 131 passing yards came with a longest completion of 21 yards. The Steelers missed some opportunities for some explosive plays, as Tomlin pointed out, that might have made a difference. It makes you wonder how much more explosive the Steelers offense could be with Wilson slinging it.
We’ll see. With Fields still taking the first-team reps on Wednesday, Tomlin might not make the switch before the matchup at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. There’s no rush, and the extra healing time for Wilson can’t hurt. Never mind that Wilson came back working with the No. 2 unit. As Tomlin put it, “We’re in a different place now.”
Tomlin insisted that he won’t wade into hypotheticals (at least not intentionally) when it comes to the timeline with Wilson. Hey, you can’t blame him. The Steelers thought Wilson was fully healed at the end of preseason, when Tomlin named him the starter. Then the quarterback was re-injured three days before the opener at Atlanta. The process now includes assessing how Wilson’s calf responds to the increased workload and whether it holds up over consecutive days.
Still, Tomlin added of the potential switch, “The door is ajar.”
Speaking of hypotheticals, it’s possible that Fields could have made a stronger case – like 5-0, with the NFL’s highest-scoring offense – but that is surely not what’s happening now. Wilson, whom Tomlin declared was in the “pole position” for the starting job after both quarterbacks arrived in March, doesn’t move like he used to, or like Fields does now. But Tomlin was undoubtedly drawn to experience gained by the 13th-year veteran in the big moments. If they can support him with a strong running game (likely) and with consistent protection (less likely), Wilson might be able to capture at least some of the magic that existed during his heyday with the Seattle Seahawks.
During a training camp visit, Wilson was so fired up about Smith’s offense, with its reliance on the running game and play-action passes. If history is any indication, he will bring his knack for throwing deep with accuracy – hence, the explosive plays that have been lacking. That should inspire, for one, George Pickens, the talented receiver who has been the subject of his own controversy this week with his effort and comportment questioned.
If Wilson is that guy, why did Denver cut him loose? The Broncos are paying Wilson nearly $40 million this season, and even if they had designs on drafting Bo Nix (chosen 12th overall), they might have kept Wilson for the transition.
Or maybe not, as it turned out. Broncos coach Sean Payton was likely never sold on the quarterback he inherited in a shotgun-marriage arrangement – or, after giving it a try, he turned sour on the idea last season. In any event, clean slate.
That, too, looms as a potential advantage for the Steelers. They’ve got a vet on their hands with maybe an extra edge of having something to prove. Tomlin has downplayed that narrative, maintaining that the league is full of players (and coaches) fueled by some extra motivational juice. The same can be said for Fields, obtained from the Chicago Bears, or for that matter for Smith, fired as the Atlanta Falcons coach.
Regardless, Wilson is on the brink of getting another big shot. If he’s washed up, it will be revealed. With a chance to improve to 4-2 this weekend, at least the Steelers have a decent option with Fields.
Transitioning to Wilson, though, looms as an even better option.