Russell Wilson in line to take over as Steelers starting QB despite Justin Fields strong start
The Russell Wilson era appears to be on the horizon in Pittsburgh.The veteran quarterback is poised to take first-team reps this week after a lingering calf issue kept him sidelined earlier this season, putting him “in line” to start over Justin Fields against the Jets on Sunday night, according to NFL Network.While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not announce a change Tuesday, he said that Wilson is in “consideration” to be QB1 on Sunday despite Pittsburgh’s 4-2 start.“We’ll see where that leads us,” Tomlin said, according to NFL.com.
“I’ll acknowledge that Russ proved his health last week, and we’re looking hard at him this week.It is up for consideration.”Wilson, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers in the offseason, was originally named the Steelers’ starting quarterback out of training camp.
He competed against Fields, the Bears’ first-round pick in 2021 who was traded to Pittsburgh in March.Shortly before the Steelers’ season-opener against the Falcons on Sept.8, the team announced Fields, 25, would be starting in place of Wilson, 35, amid the latter’s calf issue.Fields went 17-for-23 in the 18-10 win.
He and the Steelers got off to a hot 3-0 start before dropping two straight in Weeks 4 and 5 to the Colts and Cowboys, respectively.Fields has thrown five touchdowns against one interception in six appearances.In Sunday’s 32-13 victory over the Raiders, Fields went 14-for-24 for 145 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.“I thought he did a nice job, particularly making some things happen with his legs, managing the circumstances and taking care of the ball,” Tomlin said postgame.Fields’ lone interception of the season came in Week 3, a 20-10 win over the Chargers.Wilson has been eager about his next chapter in Pittsburgh following a messy breakup with the Broncos after just two seasons.Denver, which acquired Wilson from the Seahawks in March 2022, ate $85 million in dead cap money when the organizatio...