Mike Tomlin made the decision to go with Russell Wilson as his team’s starting quarterback. He did this despite all of us telling him he shouldn’t, and risked losing a team that already had a winning record. Turns out Mike Tomlin was right, and we were all very wrong. The unfortunate part of this is a very dangerous offensive weapon languishes on the bench in Justin Fields. Maybe it’s time the Steelers use Justin Fields in the way the New Orleans Saints use Taysom Hill. After all, it’s not like this offense couldn’t use another weapon to help them be more explosive. Are the Steelers one wide receiver away?
When we say use Fields like Taysom Hill, we mean the whole package. We’re not just talking a few wildcat snaps here and there. The Saints use Taysom Hill in a variety of roles on offense. He has 46 snaps in the backfield, 31 as a tight end, 42 in the slot, and 13 out wide in 2024. That’s a total of 151 snaps, which averages out 15 snaps a game for Hill on offense.
Of course the Steelers would break up the snaps a little differently. Pittsburgh doesn’t have the need for so many snaps in the backfield, but perhaps more as a pass catcher in this offense. Slot receiver is an excellent spot for Fields, along with some snaps outside as well. Also, 15 snaps a game is probably too much for the team’s main backup quarterback. A number around ten per game would be more in line for what this team would be looking for.
We are talking about a temporary plan for a team looking to make a Super Bowl run. No one is suggesting a permanent change of position for Justin Fields. There is no getting around the fact that maybe the best athlete on offense isn’t being used right now. This is a player who rushed for almost 1,200 yards, and 8 touchdowns in 2022. Wouldn’t it make sense to get the ball in his hands at least 4 to 5 times a game? Use him for screens, reverses, or jet sweeps. The possibilities are endless with Justin Fields in the game. Using him as a decoy would be almost as effective as actually getting him the ball. Just his presence on the field would force opposing defenses to shift valuable resources to him, and away from other players on the offense.
This really does seem like a no-brainer for Arthur Smith. Use every weapon at your disposal to make this offense better. Now we do understand the injury risk argument. Obviously you don’t want to injure the backup quarterback unnecessarily. But in the risk/reward formula, this seems worth it for a team looking to go far in the post season. Have Justin Fields revisit the slash role for one season, and see where it takes you. Who knows, it may take them all the way to New Orleans in February.
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