Generally speaking, a reporter doesn't need to engage in any deep digging to detect if/when one quarterback is preferred over another by the rest of the offensive players. Those other guys, invariably, find a way to communicate it, sometimes directly, most often discreetly.
Why?
Because it benefits all of them to have the best possible choice at the most pivotal position. And if those players don't feel like they'd be heard on this by the coaches -- they almost certainly wouldn't -- sending signals to people like me can be an alternate way to get the word out and hope that, as happened with the borderline internal campaign to keep Mason Rudolph starting over Kenny Pickett late last season, it'll have some impact.
To the best of my ability to discern such stuff, in the Steelers' current environment, there's no such situation.
Like, not at all. And that's to the inestimable credit of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson more than anyone else, since both have been tireless in their efforts on and off the field to cultivate relationships, to not carry their own competition too far and to make clear that their top priority's the collective success of all concerned.
So, I pretty much just wasted everyone's time in reading that handful of paragraphs, right?
Maybe. But I don't think so.
Hear me out, and be kind in doing so, because I'm legit not trying to stir up anything: There's been a different ... vibe about this offense when Fields has been at the helm. And more and more, seemingly by the session, there's a clear comfort level between Fields and everyone else breaking that huddle. Lots of communication, most of it with Fields doing the talking. Lots of instruction, reminders and the like, most of it with Fields doing the pointing. Lots of encouragement, most of it with Fields doing the lauding.
Doesn't mean Wilson isn't trying to do likewise. He's engaged. He's everywhere he can be while still being limited by the calf injury. But it does mean that Fields ... well, he's out there doing it. And the more he's doing it, coupled with having dominated reps through training camp, the preseason, early practices and the W in Atlanta, the more it's feeling like it's his offense.
Just sharing. Don't bite.
• One thing I do hear from the players about Fields: They love how he's carried himself through the summer. Never once came close to pouting over losing an NFL starting role, nor the obvious non-competition that followed once the Bears traded him here, nor Wilson being declared the starter by Mike Tomlin on the eve of the opener, nor not having been told that he'd be the starter until Sunday morning, nor -- for some insane reason -- Tomlin having asked Wilson to be the one to tell him that. He's just shown up, gone about his business and essentially repeated, as he did again yesterday: "I have a job, and that’s to lead us to a win each and every week. We can have this debate on who’s the starter, who’s not the starter. My main job is to go in there and win the game. As long as I do that, I feel good.”
• Meanwhile, Wilson caught a lot of people's attention in Atlanta -- and not in a great way -- by warming up in full uniform and pads, right out there on the field, before the game but after being informed by Tomlin that he'd be inactive as the No. 3 emergency quarterback behind Kyle Allen. This after what Tomlin later acknowledged was a fruitless appeal by Wilson to start.
• Yesterday, Fields met with the media in the locker room in front of a designated backdrop for group interviews. It's standard for any starting quarterback to do so once in the week a game will be played. Soon after he was done, Wilson did the same.
• Following me on any of this? OK, cool, now imagine Fields performing well in Denver and the Steelers starting out 2-0, and add any and all appropriate spice.
• Kinda funny to me that the defensive guys seemed to take their showing in Atlanta harder than those on offense. To hear them, they can't wait for another chance to bury that first half, and they're certain they'll do so.
• Passing over the middle will be back.
• Expect more participation from Connor Heyward and Cordarrelle Pattersson, too.
• Lots and lots of situational rotation on defense. So many different players involved. This isn't entirely new, but it's largely new under Teryl Austin, and the players up front -- Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk and everyone -- are expecting it'll continue to keep everyone fresh and focused on their own strengths.
• Payton Wilson, when I'd mentioned to him that he sure seemed both comfortable and confident in his NFL debut, almost smiled in replying: "Gimme a few weeks."
PENGUINS
• Everything I'd heard all summer about Sidney Crosby's contract status was that there was nothing to hear, that it'll get done, that Sid's on board with both Kyle Dubas' plan and his execution to date. And now that he's spoken exactly that in his interview session with NHL network rights-holders this week in Las Vegas, the rest's academic. As it always was.
• Look, I'm not forgetting his reaction to the Jake Guentzel trade. It was real and, to an extent, justified. But never, ever underestimate his attachment to this city, to this franchise and, within that, to the historic legacy he's already forged. Every game he'll play in the NHL will be in a Pittsburgh sweater. That's just who he is.
• Camp opens in five days. Can't wait to resume filling this section up again.
PIRATES
• I've got nothing to add beyond the contents of this column from a couple days ago. If they're good with five years of failure and feel like it's worth forcing everyone to see a sixth, then they're barely worth the two sentences I just typed. Or this third sentence: Let me know if/when they're to be taken seriously because this sure as hell ain't it.
• Thanks for reading our franchise feature. I mean that. Never taken for granted.
• And for watching the new show:
• And for listening to the others:
