Steelers' Mike Tomlin Sounded Pretty Certain Justin Fields Will Start Week 2 Against Denver

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation was a major headline throughout the offseason, with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields competing for the starting role. Wilson was officially named the starter for the Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, but his status became questionable leading up to the game.

During warmups, Wilson informed Fields that he couldn't play. Fields stepped in as the starter, leading the Steelers to an 18-10 road victory over the Falcons. Now, many Steelers fans are wondering whether Wilson will be ready for Week 2 against his former team, the Denver Broncos. On Tuesday, Mike Tomlin addressed the media, expressing doubt that Wilson will be available for the game.

"Over the course of the week we will be analyzing whether he’s capable of protecting himself. Whether he’s capable of being productive. When we get to those points that’s when we will ponder his inclusion or not… as I sit here today we are preparing as Justin is going to be our quarterback."

Tomlin sure made it sound like he was over answering questions about Wilson's calf. Tomlin continued to detail his thoughts about the quarterback situation heading into Week 2 against Denver.

"Speculation is a waste of time. Russell is hurt and he’s not available to us. As you guys know as a general practice man I focus my energy on those that are available and their readiness."

The Steelers have clearly seen Wilson as their best option to win games in 2024. However, his lingering calf injury has persisted for several weeks and now seems more serious than initially believed. Wilson missed multiple training camp practices due to the injury and was limited for much of the time, giving Fields extra opportunities to work with the starters—a chance that has proven beneficial for him.

There was a lot of anticipation surrounding this game for Wilson, who played for the Broncos during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Over those two years, he won just 11 games, quickly falling from one of the top quarterbacks in the league to one of the most criticized. Despite the widespread criticism of his play in Denver, Wilson actually posted solid numbers in 2023, throwing for 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.

Steelers' Justin Fields Looked Solid Against The Falcons Week 1

If Wilson has to miss another game, the Steelers are fortunate to have Fields ready to step in. Fields is determined to prove he’s capable of being the future in Pittsburgh, and it looks like he’ll have another great opportunity to impress the coaching staff. With Wilson's status for Week 2 against Denver looking doubtful, it seems likely he’ll miss out on a revenge game against the team that parted ways with him.

Fields is prepared to lead Pittsburgh to victory. While the offense against the Falcons wasn’t a showcase of offensive dominance, it operated smoothly. There’s still plenty for Arthur Smith and his group to improve on, but the unit displayed confidence and poise. Though they didn’t score any touchdowns, Fields managed the game effectively, throwing when necessary and running for key first downs to keep drives alive.

Fields completed 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards and added 57 yards on 14 rushing attempts. He’ll aim for an even better performance and another win against Denver if he’s named the starter for Week 2.

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