Pittsburgh Review

When the NFL reduced the preseason from four games to three, it eliminated a crucial opportunity for players vying for roster spots to make their case in a game setting. Many coaches began treating the third preseason game as they previously did the fourth, often resting their starters.

However, with a two-week gap between the preseason finale and the start of the regular season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin aims to balance these considerations when his team travels to Detroit on Saturday for its preseason finale. He plans to give his starting units one last tune-up before they open the regular season on Sept. 8 in Atlanta while also providing players fighting for roster spots one final chance to impress.

"Our mindset regarding this game is kind of a unique one, probably because we're trying to get the best of both worlds," Tomlin said Thursday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "This is our third preseason game, and historically, the third preseason game has been a dry rehearsal for the regulars, and we have that mentality. But also it has some characteristics of the old fourth preseason game because it's the last opportunity for some men to state their case."

Tomlin confirmed that Russell Wilson will be starting quarterback in this game with Justin Fields as backup. "Nothing's changed in terms of positioning of those guys, and yes, he will start," Tomlin stated.

The Steelers' first-team offense has yet to score any points this preseason. Both Wilson and Fields are new additions to the team; thus, evaluating their performance within this offense is crucial. Wilson missed time due to a calf injury which led Fields to start against Houston without producing any points in three possessions. Wilson started against Buffalo but also failed to generate points in five possessions.

New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system has shown promise during practice but hasn't translated into effective gameplay yet. Issues such as botched snaps, penalties, or sacks have created challenging third-and-long situations.

"I want to see the fruit of labor that I've seen out here on the practice field," Tomlin said. "We've had some really awesome practice days and shown good consistency and fundamentals but I haven't seen it in a stadium yet."

This game also offers an opportunity for players like second-year tackle Broderick Jones who struggled against Buffalo but needs a chance at redemption.

"We don't care about criticism," Tomlin remarked regarding negative comments about Jones' performance against Buffalo. "We're professionals. His response will be judged on his next performance."

Smith praised Wilson's effort despite limitations due to his calf issue last week against Buffalo: "I give 'Russ' credit for going out there... Internally we limited him... It didn't go clearly as we wanted."

Tomlin indicated there would be no restrictions on Wilson’s mobility based on what he observed during practice this week: "As far as mobility... I don't think there is going be any restrictions on him schematically."