The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2024 NFL season with two new quarterbacks in town and both have a shot at being the starter. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both will be exploring a new home and find themselves as teammates in Pittsburgh. As the Steelers will be facing arguably one of the toughest schedules in NFL history, former offensive lineman Ramon Foster explained the issue of having two starting caliber quarterbacks.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen at voluntary offseason workouts
Steeler Nation knew that Pittsburgh would receive the third toughest schedule based off of opponents' 2023 win percentage; however, most would have never expected the gauntlet that they would have to face starting in November. The Steelers don't play an AFC North matchup until Week 11, and six of the last eight games of the regular season will be against division rivals.
As a big topic of discussion in Steel City, Foster recently revealed that he worries about this late season stretch more than he normally would. On the Ramon Foster Show with DK Pittsburgh Sports, Foster raised a point to why the current quarterback situation in Pittsburgh might not favor them down the stretch with a tough schedule.
"How do you learn an offense if you're splitting reps with quarterbacks too? Because it has to be either Russ is our guy, or there is a competition. If there's a competition, who's going to know how to build cohesion with one or the other as far as receivers go?"
Foster is referring to the new Arthur Smith offense that the Steelers play-makers will have to learn, which a quarterback competition only makes tougher. When Wilson was signed by the Steelers, he was told apparently by Head Coach Mike Tomlin that he would receive the first reps over Steelers former starting quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett was then traded which put Wilson in "pole position" as the starter going forward.
Shortly after, the Steelers acquired Fields in a shocking trade which then brought the possibility of a competition for the starting job. Wilson is still expected to be the starter at this point, but many analysts suspect Fields could win the job at some point. This exact dilemma is what Foster is referred to.
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Steelers' Justin Fields working out in Pittsburgh ahead of OTA's.
With Smith bringing a whole new offense to the table, having two quarterbacks fight for playing time could damage the cohesiveness of the group as a whole. Foster was always led by one quarterback during his career with the Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger never had to fight for the starting spot, which made it easier for he and Fosters' offenses to grow.
It's a good problem to have two talented and qualified quarterbacks on your team, however in a time like this where there is a new system coming in and a tough schedule, it may not be the best scenario.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Already Becoming A Leader
Wilson has done an impressive job of coming into a new organization with a great attitude. It sounded like Wilson and the front office hit it off immediately when he was brought in to discuss a potential contract, and you could see the smile he would bring to Tomlin's face.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson at OTAs during the 2024 offseason.
Wilson has been getting work in receivers, going to team dinners, and was able to congratulate each new rookie that was drafted by the Steelers. To Foster's point, the faster the Steelers claim the starter, the easier the team will be able to improve as an offense. It's an easy argument to put forth that whether it is Wilson or Fields, the unit is better off under one of them and Smith calling the plays compared to the 2024 group.
If Foster is concerned about the schedule, what are the players and coaches thinking? What do you think? Should the Steelers be concerned about their tough matchups following their bye week? Will a quarterback competition in the off season only make the circumstance more difficult? Let us know in the comments below.
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