If Mike Tomlin had his way, the Jets would have entered the weekend not knowing whether they would be playing Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, or both.
But Steelers wideout George Pickens may have ruined Tomlin’s attempt at quarterback gamesmanship.
After Tomlin told reporters Friday that he had decided on a starting quarterback but wanted to keep that decision “in-house,” Pickens worked specifically with Wilson during practice to be a “first starter.” revealed that he had done so.
After missing Pittsburgh’s first five games with a calf injury, Wilson started for the first team this week and appeared ready to step into the starting spot he earned during training camp. .
He was active until Week 6, when he backed up Fields while he adjusted to the offense.
“I thought he was sharp,” Tomlin said of Wilson Friday. “I thought Justin was sharp as well. I think both of them and the unit as a whole had a very productive week.”
The Steelers are 4-2 without Wilson, who was signed in March after two disastrous seasons with the Broncos, with Fields underwhelming (just 1,106 passing yards and a passing touchdown). (5th inning) reignited something of a quarterback debate, even though Pittsburgh’s other units were being pushed. To evoke victory. After Tomlin did not commit to either the Seahawks’ eight-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion or the No. 11 pick in 2021 earlier this week, the Jets were forced to prepare for both.
Still, other than Fields having more scrambles and adding designed runs that are “not necessarily Russell’s strong suit,” head coach Jeff Ulbrich doesn’t expect much of a difference, adding that the Jets will “want to do it anyway.” I thought, “I have the answer.”
“(Offensive coordinator) Arthur Smith’s passing game, as we’ve seen over the years, from (Ryan) Tannehill to previous players, is very advantageous for athletic quarterbacks. ” Ulbrich said Wednesday. “From that perspective, I don’t see much change.”
Ulbrich confirmed that the Jets will play full time Sunday after acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams from the Raiders on Tuesday.
Despite missing the three games in Las Vegas before the trade, he was not listed on the final injury report after Friday’s full practice.
“We didn’t know what was going to happen with him coming here,” Ulbrich said. “Obviously, he was on the injury report for a hamstring so we had to evaluate him once he got here, but he looked great. … Obviously, typical There’s not as much of a learning curve as the guys. Number one, he’s more experienced. Number two, he’s very familiar with this crime. And number three, his relationship with Aaron (Rogers) is obviously next. It has reached the level of
Director Ulbrich excluded CB Michael Carter II (back). …CB DJ Reed (groin) will be judged game time. … TE Tyler Conklin (hip) was a full participant but was listed as questionable along with LB Chaz Surratt (heel). … Adams (hamstring), Rodgers (ankle), Will McDonald IV (shoulder), Mike Williams (individual), Tyron Smith (rest) and Morgan Moses (knee) were all full participants Friday and their status There was no specification.
