Steelers' Mike Tomlin Makes It Definitively Clear On How And When Russell Wilson Can Take Over As QB1

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten a two-game lead in the AFC North, going 3-0 with Justin Fields as their quarterback. This wasn't something many had on their 2024 NFL Bingo card for the season. Instead, when news came out that Russell Wilson was injured before the season even began, many believed that the campaign was over before it even started. 

With Fields' success, the question has shifted from when Wilson will start, to why Wilson should start. The media pushed Head Coach Mike Tomlin during his weekly press conference to give an answer about naming Fields the starter moving forward. It's not surprising that Tomlin wasn't willing to do that, saying he felt no need. Wilson is steadily improving, and Fields is performing well; there is no reason to put labels on the situation. 

However, according to Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tomlin made some comments that people seemed to have missed or glossed over. Fittipaldo told Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson from 93.7 The Fan Morning Show that Tomlin hasn't had a lot of exposure to Wilson. All he has seen from him in black and gold is a few plays during the preseason. That is why Tomlin indicated there are some boxes that Wilson needs to check before he feels comfortable putting him in as the starting quarterback.   

"Mike [Tomlin] said something to the effect, and I'm paraphrasing here, but he said, 'Russell has to be able to protect himself, and he has to be able to produce.' So it's not just going to be, okay Russ is cleared, he's back in the lineup. Russ is going to have to be able to move in a certain way on the football field. He can't just sit back there and be a sitting duck, maybe in the way that Justin Herbert was this past weekend. I truly do think that Russell Wilson has to go on the practice field, number one; number two, he's got to be a full participant, and then number three, Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff have to evaluate where he is athletically, how he can move around the pocket, etcetera, etcetera before they make that decision."

This raises a valid point that many others aren't talking about. Most analysts and fans approach this in a more black-and-white manner: once Wilson is healthy, Tomlin will have to decide which quarterback to choose. The way Fittipaldo describes it, Wilson has to get healthy and prove to Tomlin that he can play at least as well as Fields. 

Steelers Considering Trading Russell Wilson?

The possibility exists that the Steelers might choose to trade Wilson. Analysts like Adam Schefter have suggested that a team like the Miami Dolphins, who are dealing with a concussed Tua Tagovailoa, might be in the market for a quarterback of Wilson's caliber. 

After all, Wilson has won a Super Bowl and gone to nine Pro Bowls with the Seattle Seahawks, and the Steelers also have Kyle Allen on the roster (who is a quality backup option). There are some questions about that possibility. First, Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract. That means that he has the power to decline any potential offers. The second is that the Steelers are currently in an excellent spot if either Wilson or Fields was to get injured. 

There are those who think that Wilson might be just fine with riding out this season behind Fields. Both quarterbacks are here on one-year contracts, hoping to prove that they are better than they showed on their last team. If Wilson never comes in for Fields, he can make a case for playing for another team in 2025. It is easy to explain the recovery and then the unexpected success of Fields (of course Tomlin would go with the hot hand). Wilson would be able to tell a potential suitor that now he is ready and wants his shot. He wouldn't have any negative performance on his record to say otherwise from 2024. 

What do you think about Fields remaining the starter? Click to comment below. 

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