Analyst Says Russell Wilson, Justin Fields Could Run Successful Two-QB System

It’s been said if you have two starting quarterbacks, you really have none.

But some would beg to differ, including SI.com’s Connor Orr, who believes there is a way for the Pittsburgh Steelers to run a successful two-QB system with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Orr argued on a recent episode of “The MMQB NFL Podcast” that instead of looking at their situation as playing one or the other, the Steelers should use both to their advantage and forced defenses to get uncomfortable during pre-snap reads.

“Picture third-and-6 from the opponent’s 45-yard line — Russell Wilson in the shotgun and Justin Fields lined up like a running back,” Orr said . “Then you can do zone-read action and think about how many more people in that intermediate area now have to be aware and focused and hesitant about what’s going on. Is Justin Fields going to get the ball and run? … What if Fields just takes the ball and runs, which he’s very capable of doing? Now the box is soft. … What if Russell pulls it [and throws it]?

“…You can’t convince me that you shouldn’t make that a regular part of your offense. You’re just forcing the defense to react to different things.”

The problem with Orr’s premise is the Steelers would have to not only draw up packages that involve both Wilson and Fields, they’d have to practice those packages as well.

Much of Pittsburgh’s training camp is open to the public, and with an army of beat reporters covering essentially every day of camp, it would be fairly difficult to practice the dual-QB packages without the information being leaked via social media.

However, if the Steelers were to get creative with their offensive play calls, Arthur Smith is the offensive coordinator for the job. During his time as the OC of the Tennessee Titans, Smith was known for calling trick plays in timely situations, particularly using multiple-tight end sets.