Mike Tomlin acknowledged the obvious: The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the offseason without a quarterback under contract and a need for “major discussions” about what to do at the most prominent position, Kevin Gorman of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports..
In his season-ending news conference Tuesday afternoon at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Tomlin sidestepped questions about what the Steelers would do in the future at quarterback by noting he was early in the process of player exit interviews and personnel discussions with general manager Omar Khan. Tomlin said the Steelers’ work will start with identifying their options in free agency and the draft pool.
But, after a season when Justin Fields started the first six games before being supplanted by Russell Wilson, the Steelers coach might have tipped his hand toward which way they were leaning. Asked if Fields showed enough to enter next season in the pole position to be the starter — a declaration Tomlin made for Wilson as QB1 last March — Tomlin didn’t hesitate to reply in the affirmative: “Certainly.”
A 2021 first-round pick who was acquired from the Chicago Bears, Fields started the first six games and completed 65.8% of his passes for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in leading the Steelers to a 4-2 record before being relegated to a backup used primarily in run situations. Tomlin said Fields took the necessary steps this season to be a 17-game starter again after going 10-28 in 38 starts over three seasons in Chicago.
“I thought that the way that he managed his professional circumstance was really impressive,” Tomlin said. “I thought he brought an urgency in his day-to-day work, regardless of his role. I thought he got continually better within our system of ball throughout the process. I thought the way he conducted himself makes that a legitimate thought or idea at this juncture.”
The 36-year-old Wilson completed 64.8% of his passes and averaged 12.9 yards per completion and 254.9 yards a game with 12 touchdowns against three interceptions in leading the Steelers to a 6-1 record in his first seven starts, but his numbers dipped to a 63.2% completion rate at 10.1 yards per and 193.6 yards a game with six touchdowns and three picks in the final five games, all losses.
Where Wilson has the edge in experience as a 13-year veteran and nine-time Pro Bowl pick with a Super Bowl championship on his resume, Fields is younger and more mobile. He finished as the Steelers’ third-leading rusher with 289 yards and five touchdowns on 62 carries (6.2 yards per). Wilson rushed for 155 yards and two scores on 43 carries (3.9) but also had a costly fumble on a run inside the 5 at Philadelphia.
Tomlin credited both quarterbacks for “their professionalism and approach to business” and called their relationship with the game “an encouragement.” He said Wilson developed a strong working relationship with first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
“I thought it was pretty good and fluid,” Tomlin said. “I know they do an awesome job of spending time together and communicating formally and informally. We’re not paid by the hour in this business. And I think their willingness to work and work together is kind of a reflection of that sentiment.”
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