'Opportunity Is Now' For Steelers' Justin Fields

Throughout the spring, minicamps, and training camp, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said he wanted the opportunity to prove he’s the starter. Thanks to an injury to Russell Wilson….the time is now.

Fields didn’t play great in an 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but he didn’t play bad either. He got the team into scoring range seven times and he didn’t turn the ball over.

On a Wednesday appearance on 93.7 in Pittsburgh , Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio revealed that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t particularly firm on the idea that Wilson will return as the starter when he’s healthy.

"I think this is a perfect opportunity for the Steelers to let Fields try it out," Florio explained . "If it works, you just keep going. If it doesn't, it's not like you benched Fields (once Wilson is cleared to play)."

The Steelers are in Denver this week against a rebuilding team. If Fields leads the team to 2-3 touchdowns and the Steelers beat the Broncos handily, we don’t think it will matter if Wilson is healthy next week. The former No. 11 overall pick should still be the starter.

"I think they do believe Fields is the better option long-term," Florio said. "He's more than a decade younger. He fits what they're trying to do offensively better. They just need to work on some stuff, like, you know, throwing the ball accurately on a consistent basis.

“I think it's worked out perfectly for the Steelers to ride Justin Fields as long as they can, and flip back to Russell Wilson if it's not working."

Related: 'Waste of Time!' Tomlin Reacts to Questions on Justin Fields vs. Russell Wilson

There is a possibility that if Fields can produce 20-24 points per game with this defense, they could start the season 4-0 and be 7-3 or better after the first 10 games of the season.

Tomlin should ride the hot hand of Fields from that point on. Benching Fields at that point would diminish team chemistry and morale, and it certainly wouldn’t be a good look.

The Steelers will play the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.