The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold move this offseason by bringing in Russell Wilson as their quarterback. Following this decision, former first-round pick Kenny Pickett was unhappy about the impending quarterback competition and requested a trade. The Steelers obliged and sent Pickett elsewhere, only to later trade with the Chicago Bears for quarterback Justin Fields. The Steelers now find themselves with two quarterbacks facing significant questions, each on a very different career trajectory in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2) talk while they get warmed up for camp.
The debates surrounding the Steelers' quarterback room have been fierce all offseason. Some analysts argue that Fields offers the best chance for the Steelers to operate as an exciting offense, while others believe Wilson could be a great fit for the team. The discussion has been heated and will likely continue throughout the season.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly recently shared his insights on social media, hinting that Wilson is carrying himself as if he’s confident he’ll be the Week 1 starter. Kaboly speculated that Wilson knows something that fans and pundits don't.
Just how Russell Wilson speaks and the words he says, how he carries himself and the aura around him suggests to me that he knows that he's the Week 1 starter for the Steelers. Now, whether he has been told that is up for debate but he sure doesn't look like a guy who is worried…
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) August 21, 2024
Wilson made his debut for the Steelers in their second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. While Steeler Nation was eager to see their new quarterback in action, the excitement quickly turned to disappointment. Wilson completed 80% of his passes but managed only 47 passing yards. He was sacked three times and led just one first down across five drives.
Fields also saw action and delivered some exciting moments, but he too failed to lead a touchdown drive. Despite both quarterbacks playing the entire game against the Bills' backups, the Steelers only managed to score three points. It was a disappointing offensive performance, but the Steelers organization remains unfazed. Although fans are concerned, there’s no panic within the team about the preseason embarrassment.
Wilson arrives in Pittsburgh after two disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos, where he managed only 11 wins as the starting quarterback over two years. His first season in Denver was particularly challenging, as he threw just 16 touchdown passes while tossing 11 interceptions, leading to widespread criticism. Many pundits gave Wilson a pass for year one thinking it was just a fluke as he was getting used to a new organization.
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Former Broncos QB Russell Wilson gets yelled at by Sean Payton.
Despite significant improvements in his second season under Head Coach Sean Payton—where he threw for 26 touchdowns and reduced his interceptions to eight—the Broncos still struggled as a team. Payton’s lukewarm confidence in Wilson as the team’s long-term quarterback was evident, casting a shadow over the veteran quarterback’s future. Payton led the charge to pay millions of dollars just to get Wilson off of his team. Highlighting how little Payton thought of the quarterback.
Since arriving in Pittsburgh, there has been much speculation about whether Wilson and Fields are genuinely in a quarterback competition. When the Steelers acquired Fields, Head Coach Mike Tomlin quickly emphasized that Wilson would start in the leading role, with Fields given a chance to compete. However, all indications point to Wilson being a near-lock to start in Week 1.
Steelers' Russell Wilson May Already Know He's The Locked In Starter
Kaboly has observed that Wilson seems to be operating under the assumption that he will be the starter, regardless of preseason outcomes. Although Kaboly isn't certain whether Wilson has been explicitly told he's the Week 1 starter, Wilson’s demeanor and approach suggest that he believes the job is his.
Seahawks.com
Quarterback Russell Wilson after winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.
Before being traded and signing a five-year, $242 million deal with the Broncos, Wilson was regarded as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. However, after just two seasons, his reputation has significantly waned, and he is now seen as a quarterback past his prime.
Eager to demonstrate that he still possesses elite-level talent, Wilson arrives in Pittsburgh with a prime opportunity to silence his critics. The Steelers, who haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, are hopeful that Wilson can help end their long postseason drought and lead them back to prominence.
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