Mar 24, 2024, 8:58 p.m. ET
Head coach Mike Tomlin similarly warned that Justin Fields will eventually compete for the job.
ORLANDO — Entering the 2024 season of the NFL With a completely new group of quarterbacks, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlinpointed out that Russell Wilson will have the “pole position“, but that the one chosen in the first round of the Draft 2021, Justin Fieldswill have “the opportunity to compete,” when the time is right.
“We have been very transparent about the order, at least initially,” he said. Tomlin on Sunday from the annual meetings of the NFL, touching for the first time on the franchise’s free agency additions. “I just think that brings clarity for everyone involved. Russell He’s a veteran, man. He has a proven track record of preparation. He’s been in this league a long time. He is able to group up the troops, wide receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. He just has a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the one over a 12-month schedule, and I just think that’s something that someone younger like Justin could learn.”
Tomlin He added about establishing a quarterback hierarchy: “It provides clarity for all parties involved while also doing some of the informal things that collectors do this part of the year, whether it’s getting together for work and destinations, or things of that nature. Please be assured.” assurance that when it is time to compete, Justin “He’ll get every opportunity to compete, and we’ll let those guys figure it out.”
Russell Wilson will initially be the starter in Pittsburgh, but Justin Fields will have a chance to compete for the job when the time is right, Mike Tomlin warned. Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Tomlin said Fields has also expressed excitement about working alongside Wilson and learn from the nine times selected to the Pro Bowland winner of the Super Bowl.
The renewal of the quarterback position for the team happened quickly after the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis less than four weeks ago. Heading into the 2024 offseason with only one quarterback on the roster, Tomlin and the general general manager Omar Khan They began to explore their options in the free agency and transfer markets.
“We obviously knew that we needed to acquire some talent at the position, so we just studied everyone and their availability levels of some candidates in the group,” he accepted. Tomlin. “We focus on Russell y Justin between them, obviously. The goal was probably to get a guy, initially, but through conversation and work — and you can’t praise them enough Omar— we were able to acquire both guys.”
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After receiving permission from the Denver Broncos to explore his free agency options before his official cutoff, Wilson agreed terms with the Steelers on the eve of the start of the official negotiation period. Part of the courtship Wilson included several high-profile players such as Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt y Minkah Fitzpatrick contacting Wilson as he weighed his options. In the end he said Tomlinthe move to acquire Wilson originates from the organization’s desire to gain a Super Bowl and turn around their postseason fortunes. The club has not won a playoff game since 2016.
“We’re just trying to field the best squad we can in an effort to achieve our ultimate goal, which is to win the Super Bowl. And so, there are no obstacles to it, now,” he described Tomlin. “We’re looking at all the components of our team in all three phases to do that. The quarterback position obviously being a significant component of that, but I think just overall we move with the mentality that we’re trying to get better in all areas.” .
Wilsonaccording to Tomlinwent deep in his research to prepare his conversations with the Steelers. That, coupled with his drive toward greatness, impressed Tomlinwho is about to begin his 18th campaign at the head of the Steelers.
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“The most attractive component of his profile to me is his quest for greatness, man, his pursuit of a legacy,” he said. Tomlin. “This isn’t a guy who’s hungry, meaning he can be satisfied. He’s a guy who’s driven, and you want to work with people of that mindset. He’s a guy who has a vision of what he wants his career to look like, and he has a lot of work to do.
“Obviously, he’s had some professional challenges, particularly in recent years, and he seems to be a guy who wants to face those challenges and move forward with his career, and that was attractive.”
Wilson comes to Pittsburgh after being cut by the Broncos, following two tumultuous campaigns. The first year of Wilson under the head coach Nathaniel Hackett was a disaster by almost any measure, but bounced back in year two under new head coach Sean Payton with 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions. With everything and that, Payton and the club chose to send Wilson to the bank, cut it, and assume a dead money charge of 85 million dollars, something that originated in part, from the refusal of Wilson to adjust his contract mid-season.
In his presentation press conference in Pittsburgh some days ago, Wilson He stressed his desire to continue fighting and competing with the Steelers.
“I think not everything was in our favor in the first year,” he admitted. Wilson of Denver. “This last year, I felt like myself again. And so, I can’t wait to put on my shoes and go for it.”
A crucial part of the quarterback equation for Pittsburgh It was the theft of the 2022 first-round pick, Kenny Pickettwho was transferred by the team to the Philadelphia Eagles in a draft pick swap. Tomlin said that the desire Pickett for a fresh start after the acquisition of Wilson was a factor in the decision to say goodbye to him.
“From his perspective,” he said. Tomlin“[Pickett] he felt that a change of scenery would be a good thing. Obviously, when we feel that the trajectory of the business with Chicago was moving in the right direction, those dominoes began to fall. I won’t get into the details of our conversations, but I appreciate your efforts during your time at Pittsburgh and I wish you only the best in Philadelphia“.
2024-03-25 01:58:00
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