Head Coach Mike Tomlin faced heavy criticism for benching Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson, and it impacted the Pittsburgh Steelers negatively towards the end of the 2024 season. Terry Bradshaw, a Steelers legend and former quarterback, was a vocal opponent of this decision and warned the team about its potential consequences.
Fields had a solid start, winning four out of his first six games in 2024. Yet, despite this success, Tomlin opted to start Wilson in Week 7, a decision that raised many eyebrows. Bradshaw expressed his doubts, pointing out that if a respected coach like Sean Payton gave up on Wilson after a decent record, there may be underlying issues with him.
“I know that Wilson came over from Denver. If Sean Payton, one of the greatest offensive minds in the NFL, gives up on a guy that’s thrown 25 touchdowns and six interceptions after 15 games, I’m telling you that there is something wrong with Wilson that I don’t know.”
In hindsight, if Tomlin had heeded Bradshaw’s advice, it’s possible the Steelers might have avoided a five-game losing streak that ended their season poorly.
Looking ahead, fans are curious whether Tomlin will stick with Fields for the 2025 season or place his trust again in the aging Wilson for another potentially mediocre run. The decision holds significant weight for the team’s future and performance.
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Pittsburgh Steelers,Russell Wilson,Terry Bradshaw,Mike Tomlin,Justin Fields,Denver
