The Pittsburgh Steelers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin are nearing a difficult time in the season - picking between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Pittsburgh's Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders will be the first contest Wilson is fully healthy for in 2024, and he practiced in full on Wednesday for the first time all season. Fields has played throughout the year, but the Steelers are riding a two-game losing streak and the fourth-year quarterback struggled in the Week 5 loss against the Dallas Cowboys.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields talk while they get warmed up for camp.
Fields has led the Steelers to a 3-2 record through his first five starts as a Steeler, which included some impressive performances from the quarterback. Even former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has spoken out in favor of Fields keeping the starting job. Tony Dungy attended a practice in Pittsburgh ahead of their Week 5 contest with the Cowboys, and he had glowing things to say about Wilson. He believes Wilson can instill some more confidence in the team. He shared this in Wednesday's episode of Football Night In America.
"If you'd been with me at the Thursday practice, Russell's trying to work his way back in. He's running the scout team. If you didn't know it, you'd have thought he had the first receivers against the scout team defense. He threw some balls against the Steelers defense that just were right on point. When you saw the guys react to him and shake their heads in admiration, l'm thinking, when this guy gets back in there, he's gonna give them a lift of confidence."
Tomlin coached under Dungy at the beginning of his NFL career, so the two are extremely close. Dungy observed as Wilson led the scout team against the starting defense, and the veteran quarterback absolutely shredded them. This was back when Wilson was still a limited participant, but he still found ways to keep one of the best defenses in the league on their toes.
AP
Steelers' Russell Wilson talks to Justin Fields during a game.
There is some expectation that Wilson will be the Steelers' starting quarterback on Sunday against the Raiders, but it will all depend on his health. His calf injury seemed okay at the end of training camp, but then flared up again before the season opener -- and Pittsburgh doesn't want that to happen again. They won't rush him back, which is something Dungy talked about on Wednesday.
"I think it really depends on his health, and he told us that he felt pretty good, like he was back and ready to go. If he gets a full-speed week of practice, I would not be surprised if we see him this week."
So far, Wilson has been a full participant in practices, but Tomlin did mention on Tuesday that Fields would still be taking the first-team snaps. He made a point to say that Wilson will be working in with the second-team offense so he doesn't disrupt Fields' preparation.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields runs during practice ahead of Week 3.
Steelers Eventually Starting Russell Wilson Was Always The Plan
Pittsburgh signed Wilson at the start of free agency with the intention of him being the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. Obviously his injured at the start of training camp messed that plan up, and it led to Fields getting more reps throughout August - and eventually being thrust into the starting role to begin the year.
Wilson has never been demoted from the starting quarterback slot on the official depth chart for the Steelers, which may reflect Tomlin's plan to start him eventually. Fields has played well for the most part, but Wilson gives Pittsburgh the best chance to win now. Both quarterbacks are on one-year deals - and with Fields being considerably younger, the door is open for him to be the starter in the future while Wilson may take the reigns in 2024. Nothing is set in stone yet, but it sure seems like Wilson may be starting sooner rather than later.
What do you think about Wilson starting in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!
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