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
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
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 .