Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gives update on Russell Wilson vs Justin Fields decision

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has admitted that he still hasn’t decided who the team’s starting quarterback will be for Week 1.

Russell Wilson has been operating as the starter in the preseason, but Tomlin said after Saturday’s loss to the Lions that he’ll use more time to choose between him and Justin Fields – both of whom joined Pittsburgh this offseason. 

‘We’ll make a decision at the end of our work week,’ Tomlin said, via ESPN. ‘This upcoming week we have three days of Steelers vs. Steelers work and why not do it then?

‘It minimizes the Steelers versus Steelers work when we started making decisions prior to the completion of that. We’ve got ample time to prepare for Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements regarding divisional labor or pecking orders and so forth and so we’ll do it at the end of the work week.’

Wilson, who’s attempted just 12 passes this preseason, played  one series vs. Detroit (which led to a touchdown) before exiting the game.

But Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has admitted he’s yet to make a final decision on his passer

Fields played three series and also led a scoring drive, and completed 19 of 27 passes this preseason in more extended action than Wilson.

It likely bodes well for Wilson’s chances of earning the starting job that he has played sparingly this preseason, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on a recent SportsCenter appearance that ‘all signs continue to point to Wilson being the guy.’

Fowler added that Wilson’s ‘command’ of the offense in training camp had been ‘noticeably different’ from his fellow Steelers quarterback since he returned from a calf injury, per Bleacher Report.

Wilson landed in Pittsburgh for a mere one-year, $1.2million deal after being released by the Broncos (who will still pay the quarterback $85million over the next two seasons).

Fields, meanwhile was traded from Chicago for only a conditional sixth-rounder after they used the 11th overall pick on him in 2021.

Wilson played for one series vs. the Lions in Saturday’s preseason game and led a TD drive

Chicago would then restart at quarterback with Caleb Williams, whom they selected with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. 

In 2023, Wilson bested Fields in most major passing categories, including completion percentage (66.4 to 61.4), passing yards per game (204.7 to 197.1) and pass touchdowns (26 to 16).

Fields, however, adds another element with his running as he finished last year with 657 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Whoever Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback ends up being, he’ll start the season vs. the Falcons on September 8.