With Russell Wilson having returned to practice on a full-time basis, signs have recently pointed to a quarterback change in Pittsburgh. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner all-but confirmed on Thursday he will be in action for Week 7. 
“It’s the first game of the year for me,” Wilson said (via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic). “But I’ve been fortunate to be in a lot of first games. So the confidence is there obviously.”
Wilson was atop the depth chart throughout the offseason, one in which Justin Fields was also acquired via trade as the Steelers moved on from Kenny Pickett. Fields found himself earning first-team training camp reps due to Wilson’s calf injury, and he gained support in the organization. Wilson reaggravated his calf shortly before Week 1, positioning Fields to fill in as QB1 to begin the year. The former Bears first-rounder was a candidate to retain his starting role even when Wilson was healthy, but that will not be the case for at least the time being.
The Steelers sit at 4-2 on the season, but their offense has not been productive through the air with Fields at the helm. Pittsburgh sits ninth in rushing yards per game, but only 28th passing yards; overall, the team ranks 20th in scoring at an average of 20.7 points per game. With room for improvement, Wilson will get the nod against the Jets on Sunday. Fields himself understands the thinking behind his demotion, one which threatens to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
“At the end of the day, I got a few wins,” the 25-year-old said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “Of course, I’m glad about that, but there’s areas that I could be better at and I’m just going to continue to work on those and continue to get better.”
Fields’ 2024 completion percentage (66.3%) is much higher than any of his Chicago campaigns, and his 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is a positive sign in terms of avoiding turnovers (although fumbles have been an issue so far). With 231 yards and five scores on the ground, Fields obviously provides a much different skillset than Wilson, 35. It will nevertheless be the latter under center this week.
Both Wilson and Fields are pending free agents, and their market values will be determined by their respective performances. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that consideration will be given to using both quarterbacks moving forward. How that possibility plays out will of course depend in large part on the way the offense operates with Wilson in place as he looks to rebound from the underwhelming two-year Broncos tenure which resulted in his release this spring. Struggles in his Pittsburgh debut will no doubt lead to calls for a quick change back to Fields, but success could produce a step forward through the middle portion of the campaign.
“Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that consideration will be given to using both quarterbacks moving forward”.
No surprise there. You have to play both guys anytime there is a controversy to protect yourself against criticism that you didn’t give one or the other a fair chance to succeed. We’re seeing the same thing happening with the Raiders.
Exactly what every franchise wants to be. The Raiders.
When you have two QBs as starters, you have none
Absolutely, sherm.
People keep using that quote but logically having two options is always better than having just one option.
Not when they’re both mediocre.
Sometimes, the definition of insanity isn’t as simply as you may believe.
“Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.” ~ George Orwell
If it doesn’t work out Russ could be a solid bride for Vegas or siants. Fields could stay or go to Browns to back up Watson and take his job
I gotta believe that’s what’s going on here. Nov 5th is right around the corner. One of these QBs could very well be showcased then on the move.
Yes. Fields as insurance policy in Cleveland sounds crazy but crazier has happened. Watson has struggled INTENSELY and just lost his best weapon to bills.
At this point, fine, let Wilson play and see how he does. Good luck to him being less mobile with our O line all beat up. I’m hoping we keep Fields into next season, give him a new RB, some more OL depth and a top flight WR to throw to.
Russ is business partners with the second largest percentage owner of the Steelers. It’s fairly easy to see that a promise was made to Russ that is over Tomlin’s head from before the season that Russ was going to be the starter and Russ is calling that chit it .
Yea yea yea. He’s in business with acusire, who the stadium is named after. They have no financial stake in the Steelers. You got that information from Andrew Philiadingdong from 93.7 the Fan. Philiadingdong is a fountain of misinformation.
Well you’re wrong that’s not where I go it from and on top of that how exactly do you explain making a QB change at this point? Other than there was a promise made to Russ that when healthy he would be the starter
Promises don’t mean Jack…this is football…you play to win ..you put the best players in the field… promising someone s job doesn’t win games. Tomlin’s wrong and it’s going to backfire in the Steelers.
I don’t buy the crap about changing because Fields didn’t produce…he did. And it sends a bad signal to the team and to Fields
Fields took it graciously, but I would be deeply pissed off if it happened to me. And if the Steelers wanted to sign him to a long term contract….well I tend to think the price just went up.
Ten years difference in age…asinine move.
So I again ask why is Wilson replacing Fields at this juncture if not because there was a agreement made about. You can disagree with the decision or agree with it whatever but you didn’t answer the question at all of why this is being done if not because there is an agreement in place.
@New New Bucco… Thomas Tull, minority owner of the Steelers is also a part owner of Acrisure and he negotiated the naming rights of the stadium. Russ and his wife Ciara have been in a business venture with Tull since 2021 through Acrisure. Yes you are right that Acrisure has no stake in ownership of the Steelers but Tull is part owner of both the Steelers and Acrisure and he has been in business with Russ for a few years now. But keep bemoaning Andrew Filiponi instead of using Google for 2 minutes.
Partnership with the team
Acrisure is the official insurance and cyber services partner for the Steelers. The partnership includes community initiatives, stadium amenities, and brand recognition.
No ownership
For some reason teams just can’t commit to Justin Fields as their starting QB. I would. QB Rating is a viable stat and his has improved every season and currently sits at 93.9.
For a “running QB” that is more than acceptable. Who cares if their passing offense is bottom tier? Their run offense has the potential to be top 5 with him at the helm and that only accentuates their strong defense.
Russell Wilson is a HOF IMO the resume doesn’t lie. However, this is a mistake.
Fields played good considering who he had to throw the ball too. Big mistake on Tomlin’s part. Fields will be signed to a new contract and be the Steelers QB of the future.
Ideal spot to get Russ some time. Justin will be in game at some point.
The Jets have one nasty passing D. Regardless of QB, a lot of hand offs to RBs to manage clock game plan.
So you think Fields will want to sign long-term with a team that took his starting job away from him after he has them in 1st place and a 4-2 record? I’m definitely not saying he won’t, but I’d look at my options
Trade deadline coming up. I’m thinking one or the other is on the move. Time to shake the rust off russ.
I think money heals all wounds.
Not necessarily. Why would Pittsburgh pay for a quarterback that they benched?
protecting that draft pick attached to Fields
I’ll error on the side that Tomlin will make everyone a fool as somehow he gets this to work and gets this team to 11 wins.
For the sake of argument: 4-2 currently. 6 games against the division and I’d say 3-3 or 4-2 is reasonable as all of those games are usually rock fights. That leaves games against the Jets, Giants, Commanders, Chiefs, and Eagles and needing to go 3-2 or 4-1.
Certainly possible. Personally I believe the Chiefs and at least one of the Ravens games are losses. Steelers will likely inexplicably lose 2 games they should win, I’ll guess Browns and Giants. So they would need to go no worse than 2-1 against the Jets, Eagles, and Commanders.
Does anyone have a link from a legitimate source confirming Russell W is definitely going to start Sunday night?
Nope Tomlin never came out and said that Wilson will start…but the so called sports media that covers the Pittsburgh teams are pure idiots.
Starting with the goofs at 93.7. WDVE, Benz and Prisuta and of course turkey neck pompeani and the wack job with the goofy hair at kdka. All so called sports journalists who are nothing but idiots who run on a rumor or something they make up in their own pea brains.
That’s why I listen more to the national sports stations rather than the local morons
Winning cures all. If the Steelers keep winning, it won’t matter who starts in the short term. Heck, if somehow Fields plays less than 50% of the snaps and that pick stays a 6th even better. Long term is a different story. Wilson is 35. If either of them are going to be the long term answer it has to be Fields.
Now if the Steelers lose to either the Jets or Giants and the QB/offense is the issue…Tomlin might finally lose the locker room.
He just might lose the locker room. But Rooney jr. will follow tradition and keep the overrated goof employed.