Insider explains how Steelers reduced Justin Fields' 'margin of error'

Per Joe Clark of Steelers Depot, Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger recently argued that quarterback Justin Fields deserves at least a third straight start for the 2-0 club in part because Fields is "not turning the ball over" while playing under first-year Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

For an article published on Tuesday, Steelers insider Brooke Pryor of ESPN explained how Smith "reduced Fields' margin of error by simplifying the pass attack" as veteran Russell Wilson continued to recover from a lingering calf issue.

"Fields has averaged 6.1 air yards per attempt," Pryor noted, "according to ESPN Research, well below his career average of 8.4 air yards per attempt. As a result, he is completing a career-high 69.8% of passes and has a completion percentage above expected value of -1.4%, also a career-best, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. And perhaps most importantly: Fields hasn't thrown an interception or lost a fumble."

According to StatMuse numbers, Fields and two others committed the seventh-most turnovers (41) among NFL quarterbacks in regular-season play from 2021 through 2023. Additionally, Fields took the second-most sacks (99) across the past two regular seasons but was sacked only four times as he guided Pittsburgh to back-to-back victories.

Pryor acknowledged that Smith's offense largely made Fields "a game-manager" over the campaign's first two weeks. Per ESPN stats, Fields entered Tuesday ranked 23rd in the NFL among qualified players with a 41.8 adjusted QBR and 28th with 273 passing yards on the season. He tossed just one touchdown pass over his first two starts with Pittsburgh, and he added 84 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Following Pittsburgh's ugly 13-6 win at the Denver Broncos this past Sunday, ESPN's Dan Graziano suggested that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin "still thinks a healthy Wilson is the better choice" to lead the offense as the full-time QB1. That's all well and good, but Pryor indicated Wilson's hurting calf will still be "at less than 100%" when the Steelers host the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers this coming Sunday.

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Steelers as two-point betting favorites over the Chargers. It was unclear at that time if Fields would get the nod against a Los Angeles team that surrendered a league-best 13 total points over the season's first two weeks.