Russell Wilson Wins Steelers Starting Job, But It’s Not Over For Justin Fields

The quarterback battle in Pittsburgh has ended — for now. After evaluating both of their newly acquired passers in the preseason, the Steelers have named Russell Wilson as the starter over Justin Fields. It’s a clear statement in which the team is siding with experience over upside, though there may be a silver lining for Fields.

In an interview Wednesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked if opponents, like the Falcons in Week 1, should prepare to see Fields on the field in some capacity. His response opens the door a crack for the 25-year-old backup.

“I don’t want to disclose any strategic approaches,” Tomlin said. “But there’s probably too much talent to be sitting around watching all day. You know what I mean?”

After two months, the Steelers finally announced earlier this week that they had landed on Wilson, a pocket passer who has lost significant mobility but may still be able to pilot an offense at age 35. Fields, who aspired to be the starter, is left in a strange position at age 25.

But Tomlin’s latest thoughts on Fields suggest that there may be some hope after all. With Wilson facing serious doubts after his stint in Denver, Fields may carve out an increasingly large role in the offense as the season wears on. The two are certainly at diametric points in their careers, one crashing down from a great height while the other attempts to build from the ground up.

When Wilson was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos and later signed a gigantic five-year, $245 million contract, he was supposed to be the team’s ticket to a Super Bowl. His prior success in Seattle had no bearing on his performance in Denver, however, as he was an overwhelming disappointment and was released at the end of his second season with the team.

Fields, meanwhile, showed flashes early in his run with the Chicago Bears that suggested he could become a legitimate dual-threat quarterback. The 11th overall pick in 2021, he quickly drew comparisons to Lamar Jackson and other mobile passers, appearing in every way to be the team’s future. Around him, the Bears were in shambles.

Going through two different coaching regimes between 2021 and 2023, Fields never took the next step forward and even regressed in some areas as his staff struggled to build an offense around him.

This off-season, Chicago finally kicked into gear, acquiring wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift and drafting rookie receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. It’s an offense Fields could have had a real opportunity to succeed with, but it wasn’t for him. With the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears also selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams, sending Fields away just as the team began to shape up.

Pittsburgh acquired both quarterbacks in the off-season to replace Kenny Pickett, who struggled in his two seasons as the team’s starter. Both made a tepid case as the team’s next starter. Wilson had an illustrious career in Seattle, but he had very few excuses for a disappointing stint in Denver. Fields had an excuse for his poor play for a hopeless Chicago organization, but many believe that the team also failed to develop him in three seasons, leaving him on the back foot at an advanced point in his career.

To begin the season, Wilson will likely have the lion’s share of time under center. But Fields will likely receive his opportunities under Tomlin, who seems eager to use his talents in creative ways. The journey may not be over just yet.