Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said newcomer Russell Wilson has “pole position” to be Pittsburgh’s 2024 starter, but fellow offseason addition Justin Fields will have his chance to make a bid.
“We’ve been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start,” Tomlin said Sunday at the NFL owners meetings, “I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He’s got a proven process of readiness. He’s been in this league a long time. He’s capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. He’s just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar and I just think that that’s something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from.”
He added: “Rest assured when it’s time to compete, Justin will be given an opportunity to compete, and we’ll allow those guys to sort themselves out.”
Russell Wilson is in “pole position” to start for Pittsburgh, according to Mike Tomlin.
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Russell Wilson is in “pole position” to start for Pittsburgh in 2024, according quarterback Mike Tomlin.
AP
This offseason, the Steelers sent former first-round pick Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia and acquired Wilson and Fields, entirely overhauling their quarterback room.
In principle, a quarterback battle might arise from Fields and Wilson being on the same team, but it appears Tomlin wants to define responsibilities and steer the story.
Wilson’s current status as the guy is not shocking.
Prior to trading for Fields, the Steelers signed him, and he has been a more successful quarterback overall, including this past season.
Fields, a superior rusher than passer, threw 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions last year, compared to Wilson’s 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Tomlin remarked on Monday, “Oh my gosh, he oozes talent and potential,” as reported by the Chicago Tribune. “Despite carrying the weight of a franchise quarterback, he still gets to enter a setting akin to a community and pick the brains of a man who has been doing this for more than ten years. There’s still a lot of nasty on that bone, man. Simply said, I’m eager to work toward contributing to its extraction.
Given the lack of a long-term commitment, it’s not out of the question that Fields finds his way into the fields or that Wilson’s play results in a possible change.
