Coaching strategy may push Steelers to start Justin Fields over Russell Wilson

NFL analyst Greg Cosell believes the Steelers should start Justin Fields over Russell Wilson at quarterback this coming season, largely because it's expected that new Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will feature a run-heavy scheme. 

"I would almost think Fields because of the quarterback run game element," Cosell said during a Monday appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "Would actually give them a more diverse offense than with Wilson. Neither Fields nor Wilson is a true timing, rhythm passer. Fields would give you more options offensively if he was the quarterback. Assuming that's the way they want to play it. They want to run the ball with their two backs, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren." 

According to ESPN stats, Harris finished the 2023 regular season ranked seventh in the NFL with 1,035 rushing yards and sixth with 255 carries. Meanwhile, Warren contributed 784 yards on 149 rushes. 

It's thought that the Steelers will open the summer with Wilson atop the depth chart but will also allow Fields to compete for the starting job through at least some portion of the preseason. Smith leaning on Harris and Warren theoretically could make life easier for a veteran such as Wilson, but some have mentioned that game film shows the 35-year-old's legs aren't what they were even a few years ago. 

Per Statmuse, Fields has accumulated the second-most regular-season rushing yards (2,220) among NFL quarterbacks since the start of the 2021 campaign. As impressive as that is, Cosell admitted he agreed with the Chicago Bears' decision to move on from Fields this offseason. 

The Bears are widely expected to make USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

"I think Fields has played enough games," Cosell explained, according to Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "...One of the things that I think that just stands out, and it's very hard to coach this...It's very hard to teach someone to see things clearly when they really don't just innately. And I think that's one of the major issues with Justin Fields that may never change." 

The Steelers currently aren't married to either Wilson or Fields beyond the 2024 season and, thus, could part ways with both as soon as next March. Cosell being right about Fields coupled with Wilson failing to turn the clock back to his best days with the Seattle Seahawks would likely result in Pittsburgh spending another winter looking for a long-term answer at the sport's most important position.