Fields or Wilson? Steelers fans weigh in before big game

If Sarita Pearce had her way, Mason Rudolph would still be quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I don’t care what anybody says, I love Mason,” said Pearce, 64, of Lincoln Place. “Anytime they would bring him in, he did well.”

She’s not thrilled with the Steelers’ current quarterback situation.

“I’m loyal. Plus — and this is going to sound absolutely ridiculous — I’m so tired of people talking about how pretty Tom Brady was,” Pearce said. “Mason Rudolph hands down is the prettiest guy in the entire NFL.”

Alas, Rudolph has moved on to the Tennessee Titans, so she’s stuck choosing between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson — as is Steelers Nation.

So, who should take the reins Sunday night?

“Definitely Justin Fields,” Pearce said. “He’s young, and he’s healthy. He’s doing a good job.”

So far, Mike Tomlin has not publicly revealed who will start Sunday night.

“It doesn’t benefit us,” Tomlin said after practice Wednesday. “Both guys were full participants, and I liked their participation.”

For Jerome Turner, Fields should stay as the starter since he’s on a winning streak — despite Wilson having more experience.

“Of course, the coach knows what happens at practice, and the public doesn’t know,” he said. “Let (Mike Tomlin) make that call.”

Turner, 74, of the Hill District, said the quarterback position is probably the most important position on the field.

The quarterback role is a “toss up” as of now, he said, as Wilson could be doing better at practice behind the scenes.

“I think we’re doing pretty well,” he said. “So far, so good.”

Turner, who owns the Legging Boutique shop in the Strip District, said he’s been a Steelers fan his whole life, as he grew up in Pittsburgh.

“I think that our offensive line is questionable,” Turner said. “I don’t like to see Najee (Harris) getting tackled in the back field — that’s a bad sign.”

Though both John Golinsky and Steven Simmers no longer live in the Pittsburgh area, they’re still diehard Steelers fans. Both are Fields supporters.

“In the beginning with preseason, I was really looking forward to seeing what Russell Wilson would do,” said Golinsky, 58, of Montana. He previously lived in Indiana County.

But when Wilson got hurt, Golinsky said he was nervous for Fields until he was proven wrong. Fields has more youth to him than Wilson does, Golinsky said.

“He showed me something. The guy’s been a winning quarterback for the team,” he said, referencing Fields’ performance against the Las Vegas Raiders. “I honestly believe he should stay under center until he loses that job — I think he won that job fair and square, injury or not.”

Simmers, 44, of Columbus, used to live in Apollo and has been a Steelers fan since he was 15 years old.

“You can take the person out of Pittsburgh, but you can’t take the Pittsburgh out of the person,” he said.

Despite wanting to keep Fields starting since the team is winning, Simmers said he understands wanting to give Wilson a chance to see what he’s got since he was signed for a reason.

“Why mess with a good thing?” he said, backing Fields. “Even though I’d be OK with Wilson, I think it’s better right now with how the offensive line is. Quicker and younger Fields can make plays with his feet. Wilson could move like that at one time, but he really can’t move like that now.”

On the other hand, Jack Workman said he’s always been a Wilson backer.

“He’s a veteran who’s done it on the big stage before,” he said. “Fields seems like kind of still the same guy he was in Chicago.”

Workman, 37, of the West End, who’s been a Steelers fan his whole life, works as a manager at Yinzers on 21st Street in the Strip District. He wants to see Wilson take over the starting job.

“There is something about not rocking the boat, but if you think you can improve your team, you take that risk,” he said.

The Steelers’ defense is “unbelievable,” according to Workman, and the team doesn’t need much from the offense.

“Wilson is a better thrower of the football,” he said. “You would lose the dynamic running from the quarterback, but again, (Fields has) fumbled … so maybe we take a bit less volatility and just go for the safe, boring Russell Wilson.”