The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has dominated headlines all offseason. It all began when the Steelers signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. This move sparked frustration from former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, who requested a trade shortly after. The Steelers honored his request, sending him elsewhere and then quickly trading for another former first-round pick, quarterback Justin Fields.
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Steelers' Justin Fields watches Russell Wilson throw the ball.
This sequence of events has generated significant buzz in both the national media and Pittsburgh. Fans and analysts have debated all offseason whether Wilson or Fields is better suited to lead the Steelers.
Wilson, with nine Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl to his name, appears to be the logical choice for the immediate future. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers' organization seem to view Wilson as their best option to win games right now. Fields will have the opportunity to compete, but it’s likely the Steelers see the 2024 season as a redshirt year for him, allowing him to learn under Wilson and potentially preparing him for the future.
Now that Wilson has recovered from his calf injury, the quarterback competition can truly take center stage. In a recent interview with Sal Paolantonio aired on ESPN, Fields shared an intriguing perspective on his mindset heading into the battle with Wilson.
"Not gonna be disappointed at all," Fields told Paolantonio. "Cause at the end of the day, I think everything happens for a reason. I'm just gonna control what I can control and keep working and be the best quarterback I can be."
When news broke that Wilson was heading to Pittsburgh, the excitement among the Steelers fan base was palpable. The buzz intensified when Fields was also added to the quarterback room, fueling the hype even further. Tomlin was quick to position Wilson as the starter, consistently stating throughout the offseason that Wilson would begin in the lead role, although Fields would have a chance to compete for the job.
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Steelers' Justin Fields throwing the football during OTAs.
Fields has made it clear that his goal is to unseat Wilson as the starter. However, as he told Paolantonio, he won’t be disappointed if he doesn’t win the job. Fields seems to be approaching the situation with a mature mindset, understanding that his time will come.
Reports suggest that the Steelers informed Fields when they traded for him that they wanted him to learn from Wilson, take some time to develop, and avoid unnecessary pressure. The idea is that when the time comes to move on from Wilson, Fields could comfortably step in and become the future of the franchise.
Steelers' Justin Fields And Russell Wilson Both Have A Lot To Prove In Pittsburgh
At 35 years old, Wilson is nearing the twilight of his career. Despite a remarkable career, his last two seasons with the Denver Broncos have raised doubts about his ability to lead the Steelers in 2024. On the other hand, Fields, at 25, is the younger and more dynamic option. He has the potential to become the long-term starting quarterback in Pittsburgh, though his first three seasons have revealed some red flags, leading to his trade from the Chicago Bears.
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Steelers' quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields meet on the field following a professional football matchup at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.
Both Wilson and Fields are at intriguing crossroads in their careers. Wilson, once at the pinnacle of the NFL, is now trying to extend his career and prove he’s still a top quarterback.
Fields, meanwhile, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency, decision-making, and accuracy. The Steelers seem to view Wilson as their "win-now" option and Fields as the future. It will be interesting to see if Fields gets any regular-season action at quarterback in 2024.
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