As we quickly approach the start of the NFL regular season, a few of the league’s 32 teams have not yet gotten their starting quarterbacks set in place.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer one of those teams.
With the three games of preseason action in the rear-view, and the regular season on the horizon, there was still speculation and a lack of clarity on which of Pittsburgh’s offseason acquisitions will start: Russell Wilson or Justin Fields?
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin provided that answer on Wednesday, tabbing one of them as the new starting quarterback of the Steelers in what he called it a "difficult decision."
Here’s an updated look at the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart, along with the latest updates on the Steel City’s starter.
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Steelers QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Russell Wilson |
| 2 | Justin Fields |
| 3 | Kyle Allen |
Tomlin announced on Wednesday that Wilson won the starting for Week 1 over Fields. The Super Bowl champion will be running the offense for his third team in the NFL.
Coach Tomlin has named Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/REWKkybpNo
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 28, 2024
On the team website’s depth chart, Wilson has been listed as QB1, but that was not yet official until Tomlin made the decision. Fields will be the backup, while Kyle Allen is QB3.
Wilson, who spent the last two seasons with the Broncos, had a solid 2023 season with 26 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions.
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Meanwhile, Fields became replaceable once the Chicago Bears landed the No. 1 pick and drafted USC phenom Caleb Williams. Despite already signing Wilson to a one-year deal, Pittsburgh swooped in via trade to create a competition at quarterback.
Fields, now entering his fourth season in the NFL, threw 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and registered 657 rushing yards last season in Chicago.
Wilson figures to offer more of a pocket presence, higher accuracy on throws, and veteran experience from his 12 years in the league over Fields. However, he lost a starting role last year with Denver.
Fields is younger (25) and can be a dynamic talent at times, capable of using his speed and agility on the ground or to escape defenders before making his throws.
Russell Wilson, Justin Fields stats
Over the course of the preseason, both Wilson and Fields have struggled at times.
In the second week of preseason against the Bills, Wilson finished 8/10, but with just 47 passing yards. Fields finished 11/17 with 92 passing yards and 42 rushing yards.
Neither stayed in long in the third and final preseason contest. Wilson was 2/2 for 26 yards while Fields was 3/4 for 40.
The performances by the Steelers’ quarterbacks in the preseason only stirred up more controversy across national media before the final decision was made.
🚨ABYSMAL: The #Steelers 13 preseason drives with Russell Wilson or Justin Fields in at quarterback
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 22, 2024
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
Missed FG
Punt
FG
Turn over on Downs
Turn over on Downs
Turn over on Downs
PITTSBURGH OFFENSE IS IN ROUGH SHAPE 😳
(Via @doug_clawson) pic.twitter.com/glUPaI3jbA
Against Buffalo, Fields had an overthrow toward the back of the end zone that even a massive leap by his wide receiver couldn’t mask.
This is one of the funniest plays I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/PDlTajJjtu
— Ian Kenyon (@ikenyonFB) August 18, 2024
As for Wilson, his inability to avoid sacks was an issue in the preseason matchup.
I’m sure Russell Wilson steps up into a clean pocket and doesn’t try to scramble out of the pocket at the age of 35 pic.twitter.com/08g080Pn5L
— Michael 🇲🇽 (@RespectMyCos) August 18, 2024
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For now, Wilson gets the starting nod and Fields will sit on the sidelines. However, the young quarterback will be ready if the veteran is not performing up to standards.