Matt Waldman breaks down eight plays from Justin Fields past three games to reveal potential reasons why the Steelers prefer Russell Wilson.
Justin Fields is a slow processor of information pre-snap and post-snap. He’s also not an anticipatory thrower.
This isn’t new. You can read my pre-draft film room on Fields and why he needed a Josh Allen-esque plan for development.
Fields has been a serviceable starter for Pittsburgh. If Russell Wilson proves that he’s lost too much from his peak years, the Steelers can return to Fields and he’ll keep them competitive.
Pittsburgh is benching Fields for two reasons: 1) NFL coaches don’t like to take away starting jobs they’ve awarded due to injury and they awarded Wilson the job this summer. 2) Wilson has a longer and better track record as a game manager, processor of information, and anticipatory thrower of the football.
The Steelers know Fields can keep the team competitive. The Steelers want to know if Wilson can elevate the offense.
I studied Fields’ film on Wednesday morning. I watched the past three weeks of games. These are the potential reasons why the Steelers want to give Wilson a chance to show what Fields hasn’t.
This sack is on Justin Fields. He knows where he’s going pre-snap. He sees the LB’s head turned to the S after the snap. He doesn’t need to hold the LB nearly as long as he does. He’s late to throw to Pickens and then can’t make the throw. pic.twitter.com/pN6XmvXm8E
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 16, 2024
Justin Fields makes a terrific throw to Pickens off-structure.
Unfortunately, he could have hit Pickens in structure and gives the WR a better shot for a bigger gain and be more efficient. Less risk. pic.twitter.com/R0NZ2YCzWr
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 16, 2024
This is a 3rd and 5 and down 3 late in the half. Fields fixated on Pickens slow-developing (and covered) route about 1-2 beats too long. Has Freiermuth on the same side underneath that was the gimme.
Nope. pic.twitter.com/Ie4vHXwSje
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 16, 2024
Fields doesn’t put 2+2 together well downfield. If you determine the S has leverage against the seam on the right side, it means you will have the open seam up the left.
Fields misses this and the check-down opportunity. pic.twitter.com/AH4vBkcReO
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 16, 2024
I believe Russell Wilson was not as bad as characterized in Denver. I’ve written about this at Footballguys two years ago. His receivers dropped a lot of big plays. His offensive line and scheme had problems.
Wilson also had a target on his back because he wasn’t a Sean Payton guy and Payton comes from the Bill Parcells school of running guys out of town who aren’t his type. Wilson also put a lot of the target on his back because he’s not an individual who has off-field camaraderie with his teammates and has earned a characterization as either phony or exclusionary.
Some of the characterizations are petty.
Wilson may not deliver to Pittsburgh’s expectations, but you can see why they’d prefer to give the quarterback a shot when he has a track record of doing what Fields has never done.
If you’re interested in the fantasy ramifications, my Gut Check feature at Footballguys is on that subject.
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