Steelers' Mike Tomlin Offers Transparency About the Quarterback Depth Chart

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been in Orlando, Florida for the NFL Annual Meeting. At that meeting, coaches, general managers and owners from all 32 teams in the league come together to discuss business about the upcoming season, which includes possible rule changes. Sports media representatives converge on the city waiting for their respective coach to give them some hints about what is happening behind the scenes with their team.

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Steelers Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin speak to the media at a draft press conference.

The Steelers chose to part ways with 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles, which shocked many. Pickett was displeased with the team choosing to sign nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson. After Pickett left, they announced they were going to make a trade with the Chicago Bears to add Justin Fields to the roster. Tomlin has long said they want "volunteers, not hostages" and it seems General Manager Omar Khan agrees.

At today's meeting, Tomlin gave some clarity regarding the decision to have Wilson in the pole position to be the team's starting quarterback entering 2024 training camp, per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic via X.

"We've been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start. I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran man. He's got a proven process of readiness. He's been in this league a long time."

Wilson, now 35, took the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl twice, winning once. Fields spent the past three seasons in Chicago, and while he is one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks in the league, he was not set up for success in Chicago and needs more time to develop

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Russell Wilson looks up at the scoreboard during a game with the Denver Broncos.

According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Tomlin also addressed Fields being able to learn behind Wilson. DeFabo had tweeted initially that Tomlin said Wilson would start in the "pole position."

"More Tomlin on the QB depth chart points to Russell Wilson's leadership: 'He's just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar.' Says he thinks Justin Fields can learn from Wilson in this way."

Tomlin not only wants volunteers, he wants to win games. He has shown before that he will start the player that gives the team the best chance of winning, despite their tendency to be loyal. At the end of 2023 he was willing to bench Pickett in favor of Mason Rudolph and when running back Najee Harris struggled he split his reps with Jaylen Warren.

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New Steelers QB Justin Fields.

Both Fields and Wilson have been batted around as the starter for 2024 by media analysts. It will be interesting to see how they both perform at camp in Latrobe.

Steelers Have To Make A Big Decision About Their Future

Tomlin and new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, along with the other coaches, will have a big decision to make about the team's future. While most analysts understand the rationale of starting Wilson at the beginning of 2024, many believe Fields is the one who should be the future. Fields is a decade younger than Wilson and has the kind of wily, athleticism that is so desirable in today's NFL.

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Steelers' newest QBs, Wilson and Fields shake hands.

Who do you think will start? Should it default to Wilson regardless? Do you think Fields can beat Wilson in camp? Click to comment below.

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