Following a disappointing end to the 2023 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were determined to shake things up heading into the offseason, emphasizing upgrading the roster on the offensive side of the football.
Although it is never easy to make a change at the quarterback position in the NFL, especially as a perennial playoff team, the Steelers were able to do just that by bringing in veteran Russell Wilson, promising youngster Justin Fields and trading Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Although Wilson was expected to be named the Steelers’ starting quarterback after signing with the team in NFL free agency, the one-time Super Bowl champion has been dealing with a calf injury, which has kept him sidelined and resulted in Fields being the starter to start the season.
So far, the Steelers haven’t missed a beat with Fields as the new leader under center, with Pittsburgh winning its first three games and being one of the few undefeated teams in the league heading into Week 4.
Although Fields has played well during these first three games, longtime head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t prepared to name the promising young quarterback the starter for the rest of the season, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB.
“Because there’s no need, I explained to you the variables of the week. … When Russ gets to an appropriate level of health, and I have a decision to make, I’ll make it,” Tomlin said.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin asked why he isn’t naming Justin Fields starter right now: “Because there’s no need, I explained to you the variables of the week. … When Russ gets to an appropriate level of health, and I have a decision to make, I’ll make it.”
Door left wide open.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 24, 2024
Tomlin is in a challenging situation with the quarterback situation, but also in a good situation, as he’ll have to make a decision at some point when Wilson is healthy, which could significantly impact the team’s momentum if they keep winning with Fields.
Currently, it looks like Fields’ job to lose, but these comments make it seem like he hasn’t done enough to convince Tomlin there’s no reason to make a change.
