On Wednesday, the Steelers officially named Russell Wilson their starting quarterback heading into Week 1.
“I met with both quarterbacks here just a few minutes ago after practice and I informed them that Russ is QB1 going into Week 1,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “It was a difficult decision, but not difficult in a negative way.”
It’s not a surprise Pittsburgh went with the 35-year-old, who has had the “pole position” all offseason and has already raised a Lombardi Trophy in his 12-year NFL career, but many had hoped to hear the name of dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields, instead.
In March, the Steelers traded for Fields, the No. 11 overall pick in 2021, and many have already imagined him as the team’s franchise quarterback for the next decade.
While that isn’t how things will start out for the 25-year-old in Pittsburgh, Tomlin says everything else is still “on the table” for him in terms of package football.
“Just getting to know Justin’s capabilities, we like it,” Tomlin added. “Make no mistake, his unique talent as it pertains to mobility is something we’re open to weaponizing, although I have acknowledged that Russ is QB1.”
Fields has proven to be a special talent with the ball in his hands, rushing for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns in the first three years of his young NFL career.
So forcing opposing teams to still prepare for both quarterbacks on a weekly basis will only help the Steelers’ chances. Wilson says he’s all for whatever helps them win.
“I think that, obviously, Justin’s ability to find the end zone, over the years, I’ve been able to score a lot of touchdowns, him as well,” Wilson said. “Listen, whatever it takes to find another touchdown in there. It’s always a good thing.”
If Pittsburgh chooses to utilize Fields’ athleticism and has success doing so, don’t expect the team to turn to him, however.
Tomlin is “not worried about contingency plans” with Wilson as the clear No. 1 quarterback, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t excited to see what Fields can do for the Steelers in a new conference.
“Man, his athleticism is freaky,” Tomlin concluded. “I’ve seen the highlights and things of that nature but being an AFC coach and things of that nature, you don’t always get a chance to feel it or really pay attention to it, to see it day to day, and to see some of the things he’s capable of doing on a football field was really exciting.”
All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
