Over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers added former Chicago Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields in a trade, less than a week after they signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. It seemed to set up an offseason quarterback battle between Wilson and Fields for the starting spot, but it doesn’t sound like there will be an open competition, after all.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin informed Russell Wilson that he will be the team’s starting quarterback even before they officially brought in Fields.
“Speaking of Justin Fields and the #Steelers trade, coach Mike Tomlin reached out to Russell Wilson last night when the trade was going down to let him know he was the starter. @TomPelissero said it last night, and Tomlin views that as the plan. Fields will compete, regardless,” Rapoport said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Speaking of Justin Fields and the #Steelers trade, coach Mike Tomlin reached out to Russell Wilson last night when the trade was going down to let him know he was the starter. @TomPelissero said it last night, and Tomlin views that as the plan. Fields will compete, regardless.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2024
Obviously, this is a pretty significant decision from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media.
I’m sure this will end very smoothly. https://t.co/f1geXefmda
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) March 17, 2024
There 100% should be a QB battle. https://t.co/a04hQaeQmK
— 👀 (@Zona_Buckeye) March 17, 2024
Makes zero sense.
So you’re going to trade for a young guy, essentially on a 1 year deal, then tell him he’s not competing for the starting job!?#Steelers are worried about hurting Wilson’s feelings after paying him the league minimum? Stop. https://t.co/xbArdYmybv
— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) March 17, 2024
Glad he texted russ before he found out on social media like kenny did
Tomlin clearly had zero respect for kenny https://t.co/suQwS2E3SQ
— Sub to Alliance 412 (@H2Pickettsburg) March 17, 2024
Unless Wilson is extremely bad early in camp there will be no competition. There’s just not enough practice time anymore to split reps w/the 1s. Wilson needs the reps w/the starting group and he will get them. https://t.co/CXHw0Zh4E6
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 17, 2024
Wilson is the starter.. Fields will compete
There's no way this ends well https://t.co/c3mIE3dbfV
— Dave_Sn5 (@sportsinfive) March 17, 2024
Just amazing how much you have to baby Russ with stuff like this. Zero of it earned. https://t.co/d3ScW7y6jg
— Rob Slater (@RobSlater10) March 17, 2024
We’ll have to see if this holds true throughout the season and how Wilson performs in the role.
