Based on what? Mike Tomlin does not see himself as a QB savant. He does not have his entire identity as a HC, wrapped up in the QB. He sees himself as the coach of the ENTIRE TEAM. He gives zero fucks if Fields throws a football for a TD, hands the ball off for a TD, or runs it himself, for a TD. All he cares about, is the TD.
The Steelers have an identity as a team. Fields fits that identity. If the offense scores 25+ points, and controls TOP, to Tomlin it means fuck-all if Fields throws for 120 yards, or 300+ yards.
And teammates love Justin. I can’t say how the Steelers’ locker room feels about Russ, but he was not well liked in Seattle or Denver.
As for the 4th over 6th, only someone who dabbles in smoking rock, would think that saving a 4th round pick would cause Tomlin to meddle in what has been a winning formula, and a tie for the division lead, in Pittsburgh.
Denver is paying Russ’ salary to ride pine, not Pittsburgh.
bamainatlantaYou wake him up, you keep him up