While all signs have pointed to the Steelers pivoting to Russell Wilson, there hadn’t been any true confirmation about the team’s QB status for Sunday night. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has appeared to provide a definitive report, tweeting that Wilson will indeed get the start at quarterback for the Steelers tomorrow against the Jets.
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Rapoport did provide a minor wrinkle, noting that both Wilson and Justin Fields are expected to play. However, Wilson is expected to receive the “bulk” of the snaps at the position.
Wilson all but confirmed his QB1 spot earlier this week when he discussed his “first game of the year.” According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, wideout George Pickens seemed to admit the same, telling reporters that he was working overtime this week in anticipation of Wilson’s “first start.” Head coach Mike Tomlin continued to play coy this week regarding the team’s decision, although that was most likely due to gamesmanship vs. a lack of a true commitment.
Fields hasn’t necessarily been a world beater in 2024, but he has played a significant role in Pittsburgh’s 4-2 start. The former Bears first-round pick is completing a career-high 66.3 percent of his passes while achieving a 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Fields is also still dynamic on the ground, collecting 231 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Considering Wilson’s underwhelming play in recent seasons, the sudden pivot has surprised many pundits around the NFL. Dianna Russini of The Athletic went looking for an explanation, with some sources pointing to potential trade compensation as a reason for the change. If Fields gets into at least 51 percent of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps, the Steelers will owe the Bears a fourth-round pick instead of a sixth-round pick. Russini is skeptical that Tomlin would consider this in his QB decision, but it is still notable speculation.
Russini notes that others are questioning Tomlin’s decision to have Wilson make his season debut against a tough Jets defense. A Week 8 debut against the Giants would be a much softer landing, although Russini notes that the Steelers may have had no choice but to stick with Fields if he had a solid outing tomorrow night.