PITTSBURGH — As Russell Wilson stepped behind center Saturday at Acrisure Stadium for the first time as a Steeler, fans welcomed him warmly with a rousing chorus of cheers. A palpable sense of optimism and anticipation emanated from Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
When the Steelers signed the 35-year-old signal caller to a low-cost, low-risk deal this offseason, coach Mike Tomlin gave him “pole position” but promised a competition. The coach reiterated as recently as last week that this is “very much” a competition. However, given that Wilson maintained QB1 status on the depth chart despite a calf injury limiting his participation in training camp for two weeks, it was fair to wonder how much his 13 years of experience gave him a head start — and how much of an opportunity Justin Fields would realistically have to supplant the veteran.
A strong performance in Wilson’s preseason debut could have put an end to this conversation and allowed the nine-time Pro Bowler to take a firm hold on the starting quarterback job. But for reasons both in and out of Wilson’s control, much of the opposite unfolded.
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During the Steelers’ 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the first-team offense struggled to sustain drives or keep the quarterback upright during five uninspiring series. Wilson was initially scheduled to play just four series. The offense went three-and-out on three of those opportunities. He completed 8 of 10 passes for just 47 yards, was sacked three times and failed to produce any points.
“We’ve got to do a better job in pass protection than we did, not only on possession downs but just in general,” Tomlin said. “I was really upfront with the group about it. That can’t be a problem for us.”
The sacks are either an excuse or a symptom of the problem, depending on your point of view. It’s true that right tackle Broderick Jones, who has been playing with a large brace on right his arm, was often unable to hold off Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau, leaving Wilson with little time to work through his progressions and find open receivers.
GREG‼️
📺: @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/Yu6L8A7E0z
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 17, 2024
At the same time, sacks have been an issue for Wilson throughout his career, especially recently. Over the previous two seasons in Denver, Wilson was sacked more than any other quarterback in the league (100 times). Coincidentally, Fields was second in this category, taking 99 sacks over his last two seasons with the Bears. Nobody else took more than 77 over that span.
Just like last week, when Tomlin said the two fumbled snaps made it difficult to properly evaluate Fields, the pre-snap penalties and sacks that set the Steelers back made it challenging to isolate variables.
“It’s somewhat of an incomplete study, because you don’t get to see (Wilson) operate or us operate or us establish rhythm or personality when you’re not winning possession downs,” Tomlin said. “And we weren’t.”
The issues protecting the quarterback and converting on third downs went hand-in-hand in many instances. On the opening drive, Calvin Austin III false started on third-and-5, leading to a sack on third-and-10. On the second drive, Wilson threw short of the sticks on third-and-12 (Pittsburgh lost 3 yards on a first-down sack), leading to another punt. On the third drive, after a pair of Najee Harris runs moved the chains, the drive stalled again when Wilson was sacked on third-and-8.
In part because of the struggles and the limited snap count, Tomlin elected to give Wilson a fifth chance. The quarterback’s best moment came during that series.
Just after Steelers safety Miles Killebrew intercepted Bills backup and former Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky to hand Pittsburgh great field position near midfield, Wilson connected with Van Jefferson over the middle for an 11-yard completion on third-and-2 that inched the Steelers closer to field goal range. However, the series ended unceremoniously when Wilson checked down on third-and-11 to set up a 52-yard field goal attempt that Chris Boswell missed.
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“If our practices weren’t as good as they have been, you’d be a little bit more heightened and concerned,” Wilson said. “I think the sense of urgency is always high. And if we scored three, four touchdowns, the sense of urgency still should be high. I think that’s where you can’t be tricked or fooled in the moment. You have to be able to understand it’s a long process, and it’s a process that you’ve got to enjoy.”
While Wilson left the door open during his first outing as a Steeler, Fields didn’t necessarily plow through it like the Kool-Aid Man.
He got his first opportunity in a two-minute drill at the end of the first half, but that series fizzled without any points. Tomlin pinpointed a second-half red zone drive that stalled on fourth down as one of the pivotal moments in which the Steelers needed to capitalize. Fields kept the ball on a read option and was tackled behind the line. He said after the game that he should have handed the ball off.
After another failure to convert on fourth-and-4 from the Bills’ 20 with three minutes to play, Fields had one more opportunity for a game-winning drive, but that series ended after four downs and minus-1 yard.
The former Chicago Bears QB finished 11 of 17 for 92 yards. He also carried the ball eight times for 42 yards to lead the team in rushing. That last part was the most encouraging. While the pass protection continued to be an issue, Fields used his dynamic athleticism to extend plays, buy himself time and improvise on several instances.
ABSOLUTE DOT 🎯
📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/iu7bDTXJ4C pic.twitter.com/RK2UIo9pVN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 18, 2024
“I think we had long drives. I think we converted on some third downs. We got in the red zone a couple of times,” Fields said. “But I think next week, we just got to end those with touchdowns and points. That’s the biggest thing. You can have however many yards, and do this and do that, but if you don’t end the drive with points, none of this matters.”
Who knows how the Steelers truly feel internally about the pecking order at quarterback. If they are still open to Fields starting Week 1, the next three weeks could be pivotal. As Wilson gets closer to full strength, he should have more of an opportunity to establish chemistry with the starters in full-team settings. And Fields will have at least one more game-like experience to make his case.
After the game, Wilson was asked what he hopes to show over the final weeks of the preseason to solidify himself as the Week 1 starter.
“The best thing I can do personally, thinking about myself, is just stay consistent in approach,” Wilson said. “I had a little bump in the road with the calf (injury). But the best part is I was out there tonight, playing the game I love most, man. That’s a good feeling. And I know what I can do when I’m 100 percent. I’m getting close.”
Injury notes:
• Tomlin said defensive back Beanie Bishop, the leading candidate to win the slot cornerback competition, is dealing with a minor injury and the Steelers didn’t want “a small problem to become a big problem.” The undrafted rookie has a big week ahead to prove that he’s healthy and ready to step into the starting lineup, or else the Steelers might have to look outside for an option.
• Nate Herbig, who had been working as the starting center, is getting a second opinion on a shoulder injury that held him out Saturday, but rookie Zach Frazier’s steady performance in his stead might have already settled that competition.
• Running back Jaylen Warren is being evaluated for a hamstring injury. The severity will determine whether it might linger into the regular season.
• Rookie inside linebacker Payton Wilson is being evaluated for a concussion, and defensive back Anthony Averett left with a hamstring injury.
(Photo: Charles LeClaire / USA Today)
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