Steelers Insider Sends Message About Popular Justin Fields Idea

NFL reporter and national analyst Dianna Russini of The Athletic raised eyebrows earlier this week when she reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers “100 percent” plan to use special packages for quarterback Justin Fields, assuming veteran Russell Wilson opens the season as Pittsburgh’s starter.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly isn’t convinced by what Russini was trying to sell.

“Until I see it, I don’t believe it,” Kaboly said of the situation during a recent appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, as shared by Steelers Depot’s Matthew Marczi. “I haven’t seen anything that suggests that at this point.”

During spring practice, Wilson seemed open to the idea of ​​offensive coordinator Arthur Smith creating special packages for Fields that could be used during regular-season games. Earlier this month, NFL analyst Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated mentioned that Smith could go further and use two-quarterback packages with Wilson and Fields on the field simultaneously.

Perhaps some continue to discuss such ideas because there appears to be no controversy surrounding Pittsburgh’s quarterback position heading into training camp. By almost all accounts, Wilson is already the team’s No. 1 QB for the regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.

Josh Carney of Steelers Depot noted Thursday how FS1 personality Craig Carton said this week that he would have Fields “on the field for 10 or 15 plays a game” because the 25-year-old is “as elusive as any guy in the sport with the ball in his hands.” Kaboly doesn’t see that happening.

“I think Russell Wilson is pretty good in goal-line situations, in the red zone, and you don’t want to lose the ball there,” Kaboly added. “And that’s the biggest problem with Fields and the biggest thing the Steelers want to avoid this year.”

It’s also worth pointing out that Wilson will be 36 in November and has been injured the last three seasons, so it’s understandable that the Steelers want to keep Fields as a healthy backup and not risk him getting hurt on a play.