Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Justin Fields

Friday, January 10, 12:10 PM

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will not require surgery for the fractured back that he played through late in the 2024 season. "One tough dude. Example of what you want," Ballard said. It's a testament to Pittman's toughness that he missed just one game due to his back injury. But the 27-year-old's back issues and inconsistent play from the quarterback position in Indianapolis in 2024 led to Pittman posting only 808 receiving yards -- his fewest since his rookie season in 2020 -- to go with 69 receptions (also his lowest mark since 2020) and only three touchdowns in 16 games. Better health will give him a chance to rebound in 2025, but his overall upside might be dependent on quarterback Anthony Richardson's health and his ability to improve as a passer.

Monday, February 3, 9:00 PM

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that some in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization are comfortable with Justin Fields as the starting quarterback in 2025. Fields has upside and more mobility than impending free-agent QB Russell Wilson. However, an NFC executive said that Fields didn't have much chemistry with wide receiver George Pickens, so that could play a part in who the Steelers choose to move forward with in 2025. Both Fields and Wilson will be free agents in March, and the Steelers are only expected to keep one of them moving forward. The 25-year-old Fields may be a better rushing asset than Wilson, but what he gains in mobility, he lacks in downfield passing and accuracy. The former first-rounder of the Chicago Bears in 2021 went 4-2 as a starter for Pittsburgh in 2024, throwing for 1,106 yards, five TDs and one pick while also rushing for 289 yards and five more scores.