Steelers should consider using Justin Fields more in red zone

When the Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to go with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback a few weeks ago, there was immediate speculation as to whether or not they would keep a special package of plays in their offense for Justin Fields.

In Wilson's first three starts against the New York Jets, New York Giants and Washington Commanders, they never showed it.

They showed it during Sunday's 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. 

Now that they have shown that they have that package of plays, it might be something for them to consider using a little more often in certain parts of the field.

Fields played three snaps on Sunday, including two of the biggest snaps of the game with less than a minute to play in the fourth quarter to help the Steelers put the game away with a first down. That was a bold time to bring Fields onto the field, but it is difficult to argue with the results.

Fields ended up rushing for 17 yards on his two attempts. He handed the ball off to running back Najee Harris on his other snap, with Harris gaining four yards for a first down. 

It is a package of plays the Steelers might want to also consider using when they get closer to the goal line. They won Sunday's game without scoring a single touchdown — the second time this season they have done that — with the offense consistently struggling to finish drives in the red zone.

They had four drives reach inside the Baltimore 20-yard line — including one that actually started inside the 20-yard line — and only came away with three field goals on those drives. Wilson also had a brutal interception late in the fourth quarter that could have been a game-changing play had the Steelers defense not bailed them out. 

The biggest issue for the Steelers offense in that area is their wide receivers are struggling to get open. The scheme is not consistently there, and they are unable to consistently get themselves into open spaces on their own. 

At least with Fields is there the option for him to do something Wilson is not really going to do much of at this point in his career, and that is run the football in himself. Even though Fields had some inconsistencies in the passing game, he was a consistent difference-maker inside the 10-yard line due to his ability to make plays with his feet. During his six starts Fields had five rushing touchdowns, with all of them coming from inside the 10-yard line. He accounted for 10 total touchdowns along with his five passing touchdowns.

Wilson has done enough to continue to be the starter, and his downfield passing has really opened up a lot of things for the Steelers offense. It is also not traditional for a team to rotate in quarterbacks at the NFL level, but it still might be something the Steelers should consider given the personnel on their offense. The offensive line does not block well. The wide receivers do not consistently get open. Wilson is not quite the runner he used to be. They showed on Sunday Fields can make some plays with his feet when needed.