Justin Fields makes major move in Steelers’ quarterback competition

To this point in the NFL offseason, most have assumed that Russell Wilson would enter the 2024 campaign as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback.

As it turns out, that may not be the case.

Rather, a calf injury that Wilson suffered taking part in his conditioning test has resulted in Justin Fields taking first-team reps for Pittsburgh throughout training camp. And according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, that could ultimately pave the way for the former Ohio State star to unseat Wilson as the Steelers’ starter.

“The Steelers ultimately will get into practices as serious as any in the league. This doesn’t apply to the quarterbacks, of course, but Pittsburgh remains one of the very few (if not the only) teams in the NFL that still hits and tackles to the ground in training camp practices,” Graziano wrote. “So the Steelers will get a real sense of how the offense is operating and whether Fields can bring things to it that Wilson can’t.

“Fields definitely has work to do to catch Wilson in the race for the starting job, but the Steelers are open-minded about his ability to do so. The important thing to keep in mind here is that the Steelers have no prior connection to either of these quarterbacks and no compelling financial commitment that would lead them to favor one over the other. So when they say it’s an open competition and Fields has a chance, believe them.”

The idea of Fields potentially entering the season as the Steelers’ starting quarterback would make for a fascinating twist considering most have assumed it would be Wilson behind center for Pittsburgh in Week 1. Regardless of who’s playing quarterback for the Steelers, it will also be interesting to see who they’re throwing to, with Graziano also noting that he expects Pittsburgh to be active in the wide receiver trade market in the weeks ahead.

[ESPN]