There is one unwritten rule in any football practice: don't touch the QB. A couple of Pittsburgh Steelers defenders did not respect this rule during yesterday's training camp practice. As a result, the team had their first full-scale fight of training camp.
The play in question occurred during the final team period of practice. QB Justin Fields cut up the field on a read-option run and was met by linebacker Elandon Roberts and cornerback Beanie Bishop. Both defenders clipped Fields, who then fell to the ground.
That play sparked a brawl involving multiple players, including Joey Porter Jr., Troy Fautanu, and Mason McCormick.
Head coach Mike Tomlin did not appreciate the incident.
“We got a little bit less than professional and chippy today,” Tomlin said. “It’s an opportunity to teach and learn. It’s part of this process, and as much as we hate it, we’ll learn and grow.”
The coaching staff was no pleased with the incident. However, superstar linebacker T.J. Watt was encouraged by his team's display of aggression.
“As long as there is good meaning behind it,” said Watt, who had the day off and watched the fight develop from afar. “Sometimes you need to stoke the fire to see what we are about as a team. That is all today was about. We don’t want it to continue and mess up practice.”
It is interesting to get both the perspective of both players and coaches on this incident.
Steelers training camp QB battle gets eye-opening update from Adam Schefter
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting decision to make at QB. Do you stick with the veteran in Russell Wilson or go for the talented youngster in Justin Fields?
ESPN's Adam Schefter recently spoke about the team's QB situation recently on NFL Live. Schefter shared some insights on where the battle is now and how things are trending towards Week 1 of the NFL season.
“You heard the Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin come out before camp and say in his words that Russell Wilson had the quote on quote ‘pole position' to win the Steelers starting quarterback job,” Schefter said. “But what happens when you get the pole position and you suffer a calf strain and you give your competition some reps? That enables Justin Fields to make a mark with the coaching staff and he certainly did.”
Schefter relayed information we already had about Wilson being in pole position. However, he also shared that Fields has “opened some eyes” within the Steelers franchise.
“And I think Russell Wilson remains in the pole position, but I also think that Justin Fields has opened some eyes and they see the type of offense they could have,” Schefter continued. “And we know how this staff has felt about Justin Fields in the past and he has gotten better at practice every day as it's been told to me. So we'll see how this plays out over the summer. Again, I think Russell's in the lead, but I think Justin Fields has gained some ground just by being out there, with Russell being sidelined due to that calf injury.”
It will be interesting to track this story throughout the rest of training camp and the preseason.
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