The Steelers’ preseason slate is in the books with the team having played on Saturday. Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback spot is still in the air, but no immediate announcement will be made regarding whether Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will start the season atop the depth chart. 
Instead, the Steelers will go through their upcoming practices before an official announcement is made at the end of the week. Wilson has been in the lead throughout the offseason, with head coach Mike Tomlin and other Steelers personnel repeating that he has been in pole position ahead of Fields. The latter appears to have moved closer to the QB1 gig this summer, but Tomlin’s post-game press conference did not offer an evaluation of where things stand.
“We’ve got three days of Steelers versus Steelers work and why not do it then?” Tomlin said (via NFL.com). “It kind of minimizes the Steelers versus Steelers work when we start making decisions prior to the completion of that. We’ve got ample time to prepare for [Week 1 against] Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements regarding divisional labor or pecking orders and so forth. And so, we will do it at the end of the work week.”
While Wilson has not officially won the job, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor notes it would come as a surprise if the former Super Bowl winner was not tapped for the first-team role. Wilson joined the Steelers on a veteran minimum deal in free agency after being released by the Broncos (the team on the hook for a record-breaking $85MM in dead cap charges stemming from the remaining guarantees on his deal). The 35-year-old’s two-year Denver tenure did not go as planned, and a return to his previous form is not expected based on his limited preseason performances.
Fields’ work during Pittsburgh’s exhibition games, just like Wilson’s, did not include any touchdown passes or interceptions. The former Bears first-rounder – added via trade – offers a much different skillset based on his age (25) and rushing ability (2,220 rushing yards in three years). He and Wilson are both only under contract through the 2024 season, so their respective futures will be directly tied to how the coming season plays out.
New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently noted (via Pryor) his input will be taken into account regarding the decision on a starting quarterback. The final call will also include evaluations from Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II. Regardless of if a winner of the competition is already known, the decision will not be made public for several more days.
Tomfoolery
Man up and make a decision already. You’re lack of leadership is a disservice to whomever gets the nod and doesn’t get a full week of practice with the first team.
You know, at first I agreed (and to an extent I still do), but then I considered the potential strategic advantage that having a mystery starter could provide. I don’t know how much of an advantage this is-neither player scored points in the preseason, for Gods’ sake-but Tomlin has done this before in terms of obfuscating his starters at a position. I don’t know if he actually means it, but I find it hard to believe that the Steelers really haven’t got any idea who their starter is going to be.
I’m mostly playing the devil’s advocate, but I really am very skeptical that, inside the building, there is no decision yet on who should start. Whatever the reason is that it hasn’t been revealed could be any one of several stories.
True, but now you’re practicing for your 1st regular season game. Why waste snaps or game planning on both QBs?
If the season was starting next weekend, I’d agree. But with this two week gap, Tomlin’s explanation actually makes sense
Typical Tomlin coaching. Picking a QB isn’t in his copy of “Head Coaching in the NFL for Dummies”.
I bet both Fields and Russ start games this year.
Does it matter? Regardless, they again will figure out a way to at least split with my Ravens!
Hammer the under
Steelers To Delay Hurting Russell Wilson’s Feelings
Steeler on Steeler crime
They have no QB
Well. It could be worse. It could involve Sam Darnold
Who is the writer kidding…it’s wilson
The NASCAR reference in this saga never made any sense to me but perhaps it will if the Steelers announce Bubba Wallace as a surprise week one starter.
Sounds like the Steelers gave up on Pickett way too early
Thanks. Needed a good laugh this morn
They gave up on Johnny Unitas too early…but I don’t see Pickett being another Unitas.
Bobby Layne makes up for it.
Pickett is a bottom 3 all time QB
Now THAT is a hot take.
Who are the other two?
Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell
Not bad for contenders.
Geesch…the Tomlin haters are out in force. he’s the head coach and you’re not. He’s seeing things we cannot. Interesting that the biggest Tomlin haters are a decent percentage of Steelers fans.
“If you have two quarterbacks, you have none”
2 1/4 backs = 1 1/2 back
John Madden: “If you’ve got two quarterbacks, you have none.”
Maybe the game plan is to have packages for both players?
Let’s hope so.
The Steelers are in a very unusual position where they aren’t committed financially to any of their QBs beyond this season and should ride their a$$e$ for all they’re worth in the pursuit of wins.
If Wilson is adequate as a passer use Fields as an RPO QB ten times per game to keep the D guessing.
That works in college, not the NFL.
Taysom Hill does it with the Saints.
My guess is that Tomlin did not expect to be in this position at this point in the pre-season. You would have thought with Wilson’s history and experience and Fields’ prior starting experience and potential, that one of them would have separated their self from the other and made it an obvious choice. Fact that the betting money seems to be leaning toward Wilson, to me, indicates some sort of a “safety net” feeling with him, but it certainly wasn’t his play that would earn him the starting gig.
Instead of blaming Tomlin, I think the blame should be put squarely on both players who did nothing to impress this training camp.
Without citing experience or previous accomplishments (or else the same arguments can be used for Dan Marino) but based on today, can anyone explain why Wilson should start?
Neither were very good, but Fields was at least as good or slightly better than Wilson and is NOT on the back nine. Might (might) still have some upside.
I think Wilson will be fine. That doesn’t mean he’s going to lead them to the north crown but he’ll be a game manager. Not sure what goes on in practice that dictated him playing one series yesterday but he looked fluid. Is that enough to go on? Hardly
Fields seems to be a guy who looks to run first. I’m sure they’ll devise packages for him but he hasn’t shown enough to supplant the guy who has been their focus
I get that you can’t win without a competent QB. But let’s face it, there are other holes here where receivers and both the O-and D-lines are concerned. I’m not even thrilled about their secondary.
Such a strange preseason given their usage of players that it’s impossible to make a prediction about this team. The Falcons game will say a lot
I guess because neither one is doing well, Tomlin has to go with the one with the better past.
So by default, Wilson it is. Tons of playoff experience.
Plus Fields, with his losing record coincidentaly throws a ton of interceptions. Wilson, outside of 2022, does not.
Could the Steelers be shopping one of them?
Co-exist seems a risky play…
At this point, who is in the market for a QB?
Carolina, Giants, maybe Raiders?
Wilson is not an upgrade for the Raiders and with Luke Getsy as the O-Cord, if he wanted Fields, he would have already been a Raider.
Fair points (especially in relation to Vegas). Unless an injury makes a team desperate midseason, neither player is going to beg much in terms of compensation.
Dang it, was looking forward to Russ playing at Mile High again.
With Smith as OC does it matter who’s QB?
People dump on him, but Smith was successful as an O.C. in Tennessee with Tannehill. Tannehill was a pretty underrated QB at his height, and that offense featured the best back of that period as a run heavy attack, but Smith did still do a good job there. It’s how he worked himself into the Atlanta job.
Gonna delay naming starter till 4th wk of season @halftime