Steelers QB saga: Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask predicts ‘ongoing’ battle between Justin Fields, Russell Wilson

No matter what occurs Sunday in Denver, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback scenario might proceed to be a hot-button matter for the remainder of the 2024 season. 

The Steelers are planning to go together with Justin Fields for a second straight week as Russell Wilson continues to take care of a lingering a calf harm. And whereas Fields may proceed to strengthen his case to be the long-term starter, longtime Raiders CEO and present CBS Sports activities NFL analyst Amy Trask would not assume {that a} everlasting choice can be made anytime quickly concerning the group’s quarterback battle. 

“I believe when Russell’s wholesome, he might return in, however I do assume the group goes to be searching for the perfect reply at that place,” Trask stated throughout a one-on-one interview with CBS Sports activities. “If it seems that Russell is terrific, they’re going to maintain him in. However their objective, after all, is to win the sport. So in the event that they assume that Justin provides them a greater likelihood to do this, they’ll follow Justin. 

“And I believe we’d see some bouncing forwards and backwards all through the season, maybe depending on well being of every of the quarterbacks, maybe depending on the opponent they’re dealing with, and, after all, depending on who’s main the group higher and who’s perceived to be extra prone to win. I do not assume we have heard the top of this dialogue. I believe it will likely be ongoing all through the season.” 

Based mostly on her feedback, Trask feels that the Steelers’ present plan of action is to return to Wilson at any time when he’s cleared to return to motion, until Fields performs at a degree that convinces Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to proceed to experience the new hand, equally to how issues performed out late final yr with then-Pittsburgh quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett. 

Both means, Trask may see this storyline enjoying out all through the course of your entire 2024 season. If that finally ends up being the case, it would not be the primary time {that a} group with playoff aspirations handled a fluid quarterback scenario. Removed from it, really. 

The Cowboys’ first championship group featured two beginning quarterbacks for the primary half of the season till Roger Staubach took over for good following an embarrassing loss to the Bears. Staubach did not lose a begin that yr (he was 13-0 together with the playoffs) and led Dallas to a 21-point win over Miami in Tremendous Bowl VI. 

A yr later, legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula modified quarterbacks at halftime of the AFC Championship sport. Shula’s choice paid off handsomely, as Bob Griese helped Miami knock off Pittsburgh that day earlier than finishing the Dolphins’ excellent season with a win over Washington within the Tremendous Bowl. 

Three many years later, then-backup Tom Brady performed so properly that he saved franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe on the bench after Bledsoe was medically cleared to return. However in a coincidence, it was Bledsoe who efficiently relieved an injured Brady within the 2001 AFC Championship sport. Bledsoe threw a key landing move in a 24-17 win over the Steelers, and Brady completed the Patriots’ Cinderella run by directing the well-known, game-winning drive on the finish of Tremendous Bowl XXXVI. 

A extra related comparability to what might unfold in Pittsburgh occurred 30-plus years in the past in San Francisco, when Steve Younger obtained a handful of begins through the 49ers’ back-to-back championship seasons in 1988-89 in reduction of starter Joe Montana. Like Fields, Younger was the youthful, extra athletic quarterback, however he did not possess the polish that his older teammate had. 

Like Wilson, Montana had already received a Tremendous Bowl (a number of, in truth), however the hits had been beginning to add up. Montana starred in each of the 49ers’ Tremendous Bowl wins these years, nevertheless it’s secure to say that they might not have received both one with out Younger and his contribution throughout each championship seasons. 

Will the 2024 Steelers have an analogous story? Nicely, for starters, Fields must proceed to progress his sport to a degree the place offensive coordinator Arthur Smith opens up the playbook extra. Fields additionally wants to remain wholesome whereas avoiding the hits that include being a cell quarterback. 

Wilson additionally wants to start out getting wholesome, which so far has been an issue. But when Fields continues to play properly, Wilson can take his time in regard to his restoration whereas placing the calf subject behind him for good. 

A profitable story would additionally require a superb working relationship between the 2 quarterbacks, which by all accounts is the case with Wilson and Fields. Certain, each gamers badly wish to be QB1. But it surely additionally seems that each are extra dedicated to the trigger than they’re about particular person objectives. 

What does all of this imply for the Steelers? It implies that, whereas it’s going to probably result in extra media consideration, the Steelers will be profitable even when their quarterback scenario continues to be fluid, particularly if the group continues lean on the operating sport on offense whereas getting key turnovers on protection.