REPORT: Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Shoots Down Russell Wilson As QB1; Give Plans For Justin Fields
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hinted at the team’s plan for quarterback Justin Fields, and it sounds much different than the mainstream narrative that the team is planning for Russell Wilson to be the Week 1 starter.
Russell Wilson was expected to be the Pittsburgh Steelers QB1
The Steelers traded the Chicago Bears a conditional sixth-round for Fields following a busy week of free agency. Tomlin assured Russell Wilson that the veteran quarterback would be the starter following reports of the trade that would bring Fields to Pittsburgh. The Steelers plan to extend Wilson next offseason if he succeeds in Pittsburgh during the 2024 season.
Justin Fields is with the Steelers to learn behind Wilson
However, the Steelers could be planning to extend Fields after the season, and it could come after Fields wins the starting job. Per Nick Farbaugh with Steelers Now, Tomlin said at the annual league meeting Sunday that Fields is the QB2 so that he can learn behind Wilson:
Fields will be given the chance to compete for the starting jobFields is getting the opportunity with the Steelers, which he never had with the Bears: the chance to learn how the position is played at the NFL level behind a quality starter in the spring. Per Farabaugh, Fields is excited about the position he is in and knows he will have the chance to “compete” for the starting job in the future:
