Excitement Building For Steelers' Justin Fields: "Fields Will...Claim The Week 1 Starting Spot"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback controversy has swirled around the national media this offseason since the addition of former Denver Broncos signal-caller Russell Wilson back in March. The competition was meant to be between the former Super Bowl champion and Kenny Pickett, but Omar Khan and the Steelers' front office had different plans. After moving on from Pickett, and acquiring Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears, the Steelers have re-entered the possibility of a quarterback competition that never could have been predicted in 2023.

Between both Wilson and Fields, there are several battles. Age vs. youth, experience vs. potential, and proven success vs. potential for success are just a few to name. Wilson has been placed in pole position to be the Week 1 starter, but due to a lingering calf injury suffered before camp, Fields has been able to close the gap and truly put himself into a position to win the job. 

ESPN's Dan Graziano placed the two at the top of his training camp quarterback battles, and believes that Fields has what it takes to secure the starting job before the regular season starts. 

"It's a lot more of a coin flip than most think, and I believe that part of the reason the Steelers have set Wilson up as the leader in the competition is because they believe that's the best way to manage him. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Fields will show enough through camp to catch him and claim the Week 1 starting spot... the vibes didn't start off great for Wilson, and I just think the Steelers are going to be too tempted by Fields upside once they see them both out there. The question then would become whether Wilson is on the team at all."  

The main reason Wilson was placed in pole position to begin with was due to his experience and leadership skills. Being able to teach the youth of the Steelers the ropes, and create that championship mindset, were all factors in pouncing on Wilson as early as they did. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin will likely give Wilson a chance to defend himself as the starter before training camp concludes, but if he can't get on the field and stay healthy, his reign as starting quarterback of the Steelers will end quicker than it lasted.

Steelers' Quarterback Decision Is Becoming More Cloudy

When it comes to the quarterback, there is a reason that the individuals playing the position are usually the highest-paid player on the roster. The right player under center can elevate a team and lead them to success. The Houston Texans witnessed this firsthand in 2023 after drafting CJ Stroud out of Ohio State. After years of being near the bottom of the league, Stroud put the pieces together and led the Texans to a playoff win and placed them in a great position to succeed in 2024. 

The Steelers have been in a similar position in recent years, where they have had the pieces to succeed beyond the regular season, and inconsistencies at quarterback have stalled those aspirations. With the right player in the position, there is no reason the black and gold can't have that same success. Between Wilson and Fields, there is an upgrade compared to a season ago; the question comes to which skill set Tomlin will want to work with. 

Fields has been much more comfortable in Pittsburgh, courtesy of the extra reps in training camp against the starters. His skill set has unlocked an extra gear in Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's system, and given the defense something to think about ahead of a tough schedule ahead. Fields has been the perfect fit for what Smith likes to run, which is partially the reason Smith always wanted him in Atlanta. 

Wilson will certainly have something to say on the competition whenever he makes his way back on the field, but until then, it seems as though the ball is in Fields court and it's his job to lose. Success during the pre-season games will be instrumental in deciding the starter for the Steelers in 2024. 

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