The Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for clarity in their quarterback race after a disappointing 9-3 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Russell Wilson returned from a calf injury to take the field after missing the previous preseason outing, but struggled. He had a chance to solidify his claim to the starting position but managed only one first down through the air during his five offensive drives, completing 8 of 10 passes for a mere 47 yards before Justin Fields took over late in the second quarter.
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Fields, who played the entirety of the second half, also failed to make a significant impact. His noteworthy 20-yard scramble set up the Steelers’ only successful field goal, and although he reached the red zone a couple of times, he was unable to convert those opportunities into touchdowns. Fields improved on his previous performance by eliminating fumbles, yet ended the half with just 11 of 17 passes completed for 92 yards and added over 42 yards on eight carries.
“Still not what we’re looking for,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin remarked post-game, as reported by NFL.com. “It was better in some areas but still JV in too many others.” Tomlin pointed out that the inconsistent offensive line play contributed to the overall struggle, leaving the offense out of sync.
“This is somewhat of an incomplete study,” he added. “You can’t establish rhythm when you’re consistently losing possession downs.”
The Steelers brought in both Wilson and Fields this offseason, looking to ignite a competition after Wilson was released by the Denver Broncos following two lackluster seasons. Since signing a one-year deal with Pittsburgh in March, he’s hoping to revive his career.
Fields, traded from the Chicago Bears, had flashes of promise during his three seasons, notably rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2022. However, consistency and turning the ball over remain issues for him, as evidenced by his 38 career fumbles and a disappointing 4-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
With one final preseason game against the Detroit Lions next Saturday, the Steelers are eager to see if either quarterback can establish themselves as the starter.