Steelers Now
If Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are the Pittsburgh Steelers’ options at quarterback next year, Chris Simms isn’t too impressed. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers passer doesn’t think the Steelers’ faithful would be thrilled to have either back in the saddle next fall.
“Again, I like Justin Fields, and I root for him, but I feel like, one, if they bring Russell Wilson back, the fan base, and I don’t think the locker room, would be in love with that,” Simms said Monday on Pro Football Talk. “Justin Fields, I feel like, is gonna leave a little bit of a stale taste in everybody’s mouth, too.
“I don’t think it’s gonna excite Pittsburgh if they go, ‘We’re bringing Justin Fields back to be the starter.’ If they want to bring him back, that’s great. But, I still think they’ve gotta bring somebody else in there to maybe be the starter, challenge him, whatever that might be.”
Fields showed a level of capability both passing and rushing in his six starts last season, posting a 4-2 record. During that stretch, Fields threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception. He also went for 231 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The effort wasn’t enough, however. He was yanked in favor of Wilson, who won six of his initial seven starts in Pittsburgh. The Steelers collapsed down the stretch with him at the helm, though.
Last month, Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a sit-down interview with WTAE that both Justin Fields and Wilson have expressed an interest in returning next season. He also said if the team is to sign one of those two, they’ll have the inside track on being the starter when the schedule begins.
Wilson will be 36 years old heading into next season, while Fields will be 10 years younger.
