Steelers’ Quarterback Situation Under Scrutiny: Offensive Line Holds the Keys to Success
The Pittsburgh Steelers are embroiled in a highly scrutinized decision over their starting quarterback for the upcoming season. The debate centers largely around seasoned veteran Russell Wilson and the promising but unseasoned Justin Fields. While fans and outsiders might see this choice as a high-stakes dilemma, seasoned NFL coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick suggest otherwise.
“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,” Cowher said. “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.”
The perspective shared by Cowher and Belichick shines a light on a more significant issue impacting the Steelers: their offensive line. Despite Wilson maintaining an edge over Fields in the quarterback race, neither has led a drive that ended in a touchdown during preseason play. This inefficiency stems from what many experts consider to be a subpar performance from the offensive line.
Belichick emphasized, “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.”
Offensive Line Challenges and Developments
Central to these struggles has been the injury to key offensive lineman Troy Fautanu, who has been out for over a week. His absence has been felt deeply in both pass protection and run blocking. The good news for Pittsburgh is that Fautanu is expected to return by Week 1, which could provide a much-needed boost to the line’s overall performance.
In his stead, offensive line adjustments have included moving Broderick Jones to right tackle and Dan Moore Jr. to left tackle. Meanwhile, rookie center Zach Frazier has been thrust into a starting role, showing promise but needing more experience to hone his skills. Another rookie, Mason McCormick, also holds potential but similarly requires more seasoning to make a substantial impact this season.
Expert Insights and Coaching Perspective
Current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin appears to be keeping faith in Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, despite the challenges. Belichick concurs with this approach, highlighting the importance of the running game to alleviate some pressure off Wilson. “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.
The efficacy of the offensive line is not just about protecting the quarterback, but also about enabling a productive running game, a critical element for the Steelers’ overall offensive success. The sentiment among football experts is clear: for Wilson or any quarterback to truly succeed, the line in front of them must first find its rhythm and deliver consistent performance.
Flashback to 1996
Drawing parallels to past Steelers seasons, the prevailing situation evokes memories of the 1996 season when Mike Tomczak started over Kordell Stewart and led the team to a 10-6 record before falling in the divisional round of the playoffs. It's a stark reminder of the strategic decisions coaches often face and the influence they can have on the team's trajectory.
As the Steelers iron out their quarterback conundrum and offensive line woes, the focus remains on molding a cohesive, effective unit that can support Russell Wilson and maximize the potential of promising players like Justin Fields and Zach Frazier. Only then can Pittsburgh hope to achieve the offensive fluidity needed to compete at the highest level this season.
Ultimately, the Steelers’ fortunes this season may hinge less on who starts as quarterback and more on resolving the issues plaguing their offensive line. With the return of Fautanu and the progressive development of rookies like Frazier and McCormick, the pieces are there. The challenge lies in fitting them together to form an impermeable front that can unleash the full potential of Pittsburgh’s offense.