While all signs have pointed to the Steelers pivoting to Russell Wilson, there hadn’t been any true confirmation about the team’s QB status for Sunday night. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has appeared to provide a definitive report, tweeting that Wilson will indeed get the start at quarterback for the Steelers tomorrow against the Jets.
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Rapoport did provide a minor wrinkle, noting that both Wilson and Justin Fields are expected to play. However, Wilson is expected to receive the “bulk” of the snaps at the position.
Wilson all but confirmed his QB1 spot earlier this week when he discussed his “first game of the year.” According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, wideout George Pickens seemed to admit the same, telling reporters that he was working overtime this week in anticipation of Wilson’s “first start.” Head coach Mike Tomlin continued to play coy this week regarding the team’s decision, although that was most likely due to gamesmanship vs. a lack of a true commitment.
Fields hasn’t necessarily been a world beater in 2024, but he has played a significant role in Pittsburgh’s 4-2 start. The former Bears first-round pick is completing a career-high 66.3 percent of his passes while achieving a 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Fields is also still dynamic on the ground, collecting 231 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Considering Wilson’s underwhelming play in recent seasons, the sudden pivot has surprised many pundits around the NFL. Dianna Russini of The Athletic went looking for an explanation, with some sources pointing to potential trade compensation as a reason for the change. If Fields gets into at least 51 percent of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps, the Steelers will owe the Bears a fourth-round pick instead of a sixth-round pick. Russini is skeptical that Tomlin would consider this in his QB decision, but it is still notable speculation.
Russini notes that others are questioning Tomlin’s decision to have Wilson make his season debut against a tough Jets defense. A Week 8 debut against the Giants would be a much softer landing, although Russini notes that the Steelers may have had no choice but to stick with Fields if he had a solid outing tomorrow night.
Jets need to prepare for Fields. I suspect Wilson won’t last long.
What a terrible decision.
Well, MAYBE the solution to a porous O line, a meh running game and receivers who can’t get open IS an older, less mobile, fairly brittle QB who hasn’t played yet this year.
A QB who is still considered a starter option after having endured over 500 sacks probably shouldn’t be labelled brittle.
Metal bends until it breaks. The more you bend it…
7 weeks to heal an injury not expected to keep him from starting the first game.
But hopefully he’s made of steel because the line is made of swiss cheese at this point.
Very bad move in Tomlin’s part or whoever’s decision this was. Reports are that a lot of Steelers are quietly showing disapproval.
This is surely to backfire. As Wilson is no more mobile than rotheliesburger was at the end.
Best scenario is that Wilson gets hurt,hoping he doesn’t, I’m not sadistic. And Fields comes in to rally the Steelers offense to a win. This ending this so called QB controversy.
Let’s at least see what Wilson can do before passing judgement. I doubt Tomlin considers either QB a long term answer so the controversy is likely to carry over to next season as well. The Steelers needed a diversion from the Rooney Rule controversy anyway.