Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers should play to Justin Fields' strength despite the risk

Reports say that Justin Fields will start the next two games at quarterback, including Sunday’s visit to Denver.

If the Steelers are 3-0 after that, as they well could be, then Fields will surely keep starting.

If that’s what the Steelers choose, here’s how to maximize:

• Call Fields’ number on running plays at least 12 times per game.

• On passing plays, tell Fields to yank down the ball and run if his first read isn’t there.

Fields would wind up carrying the ball at least 20 times per game.

That indulges Fields’ biggest strength: His legs.

It stays away from Fields’ biggest weakness: He doesn’t know how to play quarterback. He’s bad at going through progressions. His arm is haphazard.

My strategy would lead to the Steelers leading the NFL in rushing. It would give them something to hang their hat on.

The Steelers shouldn’t be concerned that Fields might get hurt if he gets too many carries. That there’s too much risk.

If Fields gets injured, so what? Put Russell Wilson in. Next man up. Wilson knows how to play quarterback.

No need to safeguard Fields. There’s especially no need to play to Fields’ weaknesses in that pursuit.

It would be stupid to limit Fields’ carries to protect him so he’s healthy enough to keep playing and throw more. That’s negating what he does best so he’s OK to do what he can’t.