The Pittsburgh Steelers have undergone some major changes on offense this offseason. They have a new offensive coordinator in former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who is going to set the tone with a strong running game.
The offensive line was bolstered early and often in the 2024 NFL Draft, which will help the unit as a whole. That is good news for the Steelers’ quarterbacks, as their depth chart was overhauled.
All three quarterbacks from last season, Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, are gone. Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, Trubisky was released and Rudolph signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans.
Replacing them is Russell Wilson, who signed for the veteran’s minimum after being released by the Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh also acquired Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in a trade.
Right now, Wilson is the starting quarterback for the team, which means Fields is the backup. However, the Steelers have tossed around the idea of using Fields in another way; as their kick returner.
During an appearance on the Not Just Football show hosted by Steelers star Cameron Heyward, running back Jaylen Warren revealed the potentially bizarre usage of Fields. Given the new kickoff return rules, the Steelers have considered using their backup quarterback in the kick return role.
Fields is certainly dynamic with the ball in his hands as one of the best running quarterbacks currently in the NFL. It would be an unprecedented move to have a quarterback returning kicks, and one that would likely get special teams coordinator Danny Smith fired on the spot.
The Steelers cannot afford to put Fields, should he be their backup quarterback, in harm’s way. Pittsburgh saw just how important quarterback depth was last season, as all three of their guys started games.
Putting Fields in a position to absorb extra hits and damage as a kick returner would be less than ideal. He has the speed, size and athleticism to find some success operating in the open field, but opening him up to taking hits and potential injury is too big of a risk to take.
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