ESPN debates if Russell Wilson should remain Steelers starting QB over Justin Fields

Russell Wilson took over as the Steelers’ starting quarterback Sunday night over Justin Fields and led them to a 37-15 win over the Jets.

So, Wilson should remain the starter right? ESPN’s Damien Woody and Tedy Bruschi debated that topic on Monday’s Get Up. Fields led the team to a 4-2 record before Sunday, but even admitted he wasn’t good enough.

That’s when Mike Tomlin made the switch and went to Wilson, who was likely the original starting quarterback before his preseason injury.

“Mike Tomlin knows what the hell he’s talking about,” Woody said. “How many people were talking: ‘Hey, why would we switch out Justin Fields for Russell Wilson?’ Mike Tomlin sees both of these quarterbacks every day in the building at practice, and said, ‘You know what, we need to see who’s going to be our quarterback when we start divisional play.’ And last night was a first step in truly evaluating that quarterback position.”

Wilson finished 16-of-29 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score during the win and second half burst.

But based on what Bruschi saw on tape, he’s not counting out Fields.

“I would say: ‘Justin stay ready, because there’s (still) bad football in Russell Wilson,’” Bruschi said. “Still, I remember seeing it there. I know there were shades of it in the beginning last night. And still, he got bailed out last night by Pickens and some of those receivers. Rex and I talked about the best ball was to Freiermuth when he threw it ahead in stride … Oh yeah, they’re not taking him out now, because this guy is hot and Russell, if he gets this way, is great, but still, I mean, a couple of those balls to Pickens could have been interceptions.”

This season, Fields has 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, one interception, a 66.3% completion percentage, 231 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Despite Fields getting benched ahead of the win, Wilson is still a believer in his teammate. So regardless of how this turns out, the quarterbacks seem to be on the same page.

“We are in a tremendous situation where we are,” Wilson said postgame. “I think there’s a lot of outside noise that makes it seem like it’s a negative thing and this (is a) rivalry. It’s not. We just want to win. That’s what we’re focused on. I mean, I gotta give Justin Fields credit … Just all the things that he was able to do, how great he’s been playing, he inspires me every day how he works, vice versa.

“We have a great relationship. He’s a tremendous quarterback. He’s a franchise quarterback, he’s a leader, he’s got all the intangibles and whatever I can give to him and show him and just be around him, that’s part of my job.”