NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers beat reporter Brooke Pryor of ESPN recently mentioned that she thinks head coach Mike Tomlin will hold at least somewhat of a legitimate competition for the club's starting quarterback job this summer between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. 

ESPN NFL insider Field Yates of ESPN had a similar take to Pryor's during the latest edition of the "Football Today" podcast. 

"It's not a certainty that Russell Wilson is a starting quarterback in Week 1," Yates said, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "Not a certainty at all. And words are simply words right now from the Steelers." 

Such "words" have been used by Steelers HC Mike Tomlin, who has repeatedly said this spring that Wilson was in the "pole position" to earn the job after the 35-year-old signal-caller signed a team-friendly deal to join the Steelers shortly before they acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick. The Steelers aren't married to either player beyond the upcoming season, though. And some think Pittsburgh could release Wilson before Week 1 if he loses the job to Fields during the preseason. 

"I just think at some point this season they're going to have to give Justin Fields a look unless Russell Wilson's playing unbelievable football," Yates said. 

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco and Chris Mason of MassLive are among noteworthy members of the NFL media community convinced that Wilson's days of "unbelievable football" are in his past. According to Pro Football Reference, Wilson ended the 2023 regular season ranked 22nd in the NFL among qualified players with a 50.7 adjusted QBR and tied for 23rd with a 43.3% passing success rate. Over his final 15 games with the Denver Broncos, he tossed 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. 

It has been noted since Wednesday that the second half of the Steelers' 2024 schedule is brutal for any team. Thus, Tomlin and company may have nothing to lose in giving Fields a look in early December if Wilson fails to impress after the team's Week 9 bye. 

"This does not strike me as a roster that is good enough around the quarterbacks to carry average quarterback play to a dominant season," Yates added about the Steelers. 

At this point, it's unclear if either Wilson or Fields can give Pittsburgh "average quarterback play" in the system that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith plans to feature.