Give veteran quarterback Russell Wilson credit for an outstanding career. He is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, won a Super Bowl (should have won two!) and has led myriad fantasy football managers to championships as well, finishing in the top 10 at the position for our purposes in each of his first nine NFL seasons. No QB scored more fantasy points in 2017. Wilson is likely headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday, regardless of how his career ends.

 

Justin Fields is not Russell Wilson. Fields has not thrown for 3,000 passing yards in any of his three disappointing seasons, nor has he approached 20 touchdown passes. Fields has never participated in an NFL playoff game or a Pro Bowl.

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers moved on from their 2023 quarterbacks and now employ both Wilson, with the flashy career stats and mostly intact reputation, and Fields, who has won only 10 of the 38 NFL games he has appeared in. Respected Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear which fellow is likely to claim the starting role, at least initially, and it is not Fields. Wilson has the track record. He is going to start.

 

 

However, fantasy managers should root for Fields to start.

 

Upside matters, especially when discussing quarterbacks not likely selected in standard leagues. At this point, Wilson, 35, lacks upside. He has performed rather underwhelmingly for much of the past three seasons, and there is little reason to expect things to change in 2024. Then again, Fields, 25, distinguished himself so much as the Chicago Bears starter that they could not wait to get rid of him, but the same goes for Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks/Denver Broncos.

 

If you want upside and a reasonable difference-maker in a deeper league, however — and you should — Fields is your man. He has upside, with a capital U.

 

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Herein lies one of the major differences between real football and the fantasy version we all love so much. Few would identify Fields as a particularly strong or accurate thrower of the football, though he surely improved on deep passes last season when working with standout WR DJ Moore, nor is he a noted decision-maker.

 

What Fields does do exceptionally well is run with the football. He has few peers, if any, in that respect, and fantasy managers greatly enjoyed his stunning 2022 season. They should not care how their players deliver the numbers, just as long as they deliver them.

 

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Wilson, in his final season with the Seahawks and two forgettable, controversial ones with the Broncos, was not a top-10 fantasy quarterback. Fields was fantasy’s No. 6 quarterback in 2022, when he rushed for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns, and he is hardly too old to resurrect that season. Few running backs reach those rushing figures. No running backs added 2,243 passing yards and 17 touchdown passes.

 

Even last season, when Fields was limited to 13 games due to a thumb injury, only the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson produced more rushing yards from the quarterback position. Fields improved as a passer, too, not that the Bears cared.

 

Let’s be clear here: In ESPN’s most popular leagues, whether containing eight, 10 or 12 teams, neither Steelers passer comes recommended for this season. Quarterback remains a deep position, with proven, early-round picks (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen), enticing runners (Jackson, Kyler Murray), recovering producers (Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins) and hotshot rookies (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels).

 

The Steelers boast four seasons of top-10 fantasy QB play since the Terry Bradshaw era, all by Ben Roethlisberger. Fantasy managers tend to avoid the Steelers for upside QB play.

 

Fields could still change that impression, should he earn the opportunity to perform. He should. The Steelers do not need to show loyalty to either QB, really, since they did not pay a hefty price to acquire them, nor will they pay them exorbitant money.

 

Fields can lead them through this QB gap year for the franchise (or beyond), which hired a new offensive coordinator (Arthur Smith) and intends to use far more play-action than either of its new quarterbacks has used recently. Wilson, however, is physically limited at this point of his career, even as we acknowledge he is a safer, known commodity when compared with Fields.

 

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Yeah, but safe is often boring, unexceptional. The Steelers can win double-digit games with Wilson, but why can’t they do so with Fields, too? Overlook last season, when the Bears lacked so many things, including skill players on offense, a solid offensive line and, perhaps, competent coaching and leadership. The Bears didn’t want Fields around and seemed to occasionally restrict his ability to make explosive plays with his legs, especially when the pocket broke down. It seemed like a poor use of an exciting resource.

 

Defensive coordinators would be far more concerned with Fields than Wilson, thanks to his rushing ability, and one would think the Steelers would figure out how to bring out the best in their still-young QB. The Ohio State product, chosen No. 11 in the 2021 NFL draft, remains an outstanding talent. He is neither old nor broken. He needed a change of scenery. So did Wilson. Let them actually compete for the starting job, and perhaps the Steelers will be surprised. The Ravens win many games with Jackson utilizing his running skills. Fields boasts similar talent.

 

Remember, even last season when it was clear that the Bears partnership would end, Fields scored rushing touchdowns in three of the final five weeks. He had two runs of more than 20 yards in Week 16. Fields remains a unique offensive threat, one the Steelers have never enjoyed before.

 

Kordell Stewart holds the franchise rushing record for a QB with 537 yards in 1995. Fields rushed for 552 yards during an electrifying five-game span during the 2022 season, though the Bears lost four of those contests. It does not mean a running quarterback cannot succeed. The Steelers can be creative, and they boast terrific management. This can absolutely work.

 

All the Steelers have to do is give Fields a chance. Wilson is not going to be a top-10 fantasy QB. He hasn’t been in a while. Fields can be that top-10 option. He can be great. Fantasy managers should root for this outcome and pay close attention.

 

How to value the Pittsburgh QBs by redraft league type

Standard-sized leagues of 12 teams or fewer: Pass. Neither comes recommended.

 

Superflex leagues of 8 teams: In a shallow league with notable free agent depth, Wilson is an unexciting QB3, but Fields should go earlier in case he starts. Draft him eagerly as an early QB3 because there is strong QB2 upside, at the least, for if/when he starts.

 

Superflex leagues of 10 or more teams: Wilson is likely competent, neither a league-winning player in fantasy nor a losing one. He’s fine. Fields could be far more. For now, with Wilson likely to start, he is the safer pick, but safe isn’t always a winning strategy. Dare to dream. I rank Fields right behind Wilson and if Fields starts, he zooms up the rankings. Fields is a potential league-winning option for sure. We’ve seen it, and recently.