When Russell Wilson is healthy, should the Steelers make him the starter?
That’s the question that Mike Tomlin has been asked different ways over the past few weeks during his weekly news conferences.
Tomlin has said that he won’t address the QB1 issue until Wilson is fully healthy.
Until then, it’s Justin Fields’ job.
Of the reasons Tomlin would want to put in Wilson over Fields, is one of them to suppress how much money the team would need to pay the former Bears first-round pick in the future?
Former NFL GM and Steelers executive Doug Whaley said during his weekly segment Wednesday if the Steelers are not willing to keep Fields in there, what are the next steps?
"Do you throw Russell Wilson in there and maybe lose a couple of games for the future? Meaning, then you take Fields off the playing field so you don’t have to pay him as much.”
“You hope Wilson plays well and keeps you winning, but do you sacrifice this year for the eye on the future. You keep the cost down and you know you have the guy.”
Andrew Fillipponi says sources within the Steelers said they would never take Fields out just to sacrifice games and safe some money.
Poni says if the Steelers would be willing to ignore their no in-season rule with contracts, they could sign Fields to a two-year, $50 million extension and do it today.
Would you do it? Poni says he wouldn’t but his fellow host Chris Mueller and producer Donny Football would.