At the end of the preseason, Russell Wilson was named as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers after winning a quarterback competition with Justin Fields. But when the team opens its season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, it sounds like Fields will actually get the start, instead.
Russell Wilson was limited in practice throughout the week as a result of soreness in his calf, and according to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, it seems like Justin Fields is in line to start in his place during Sunday’s season-opening showdown with the Falcons.
“It appears more likely that Justin Fields starts on Sunday for the #Steelers than Russell Wilson, though Wilson will be examined Saturday,” Rapoport said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: It appears more likely that Justin Fields starts on Sunday for the #Steelers than Russell Wilson, though Wilson will be examined Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Pv2ZgejleL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2024
Needless to say, this is pretty terrible news for Wilson after he fought hard to earn the starting job during practice and looked to bounce back from two brutal seasons in Denver. Obviously, this story has led to a lot of reactions on social media.
Fields needs to have a better game than Caleb. Will make for a fun Twitter experience. https://t.co/CHERbHDk1a
— в. (@bheintzskol) September 7, 2024
We lose to Arthur Smith and Justin Fields I might never recover https://t.co/ziUClB3ISp
— Ryan (@rhopkins_) September 6, 2024
Well here we go https://t.co/T5yyXwGyhe
— Devontae (@DevontaeD28) September 6, 2024
Russ is never going to see the field after week 1 https://t.co/kbhkJHpeDW
— Pepe (@PepeGibby216) September 7, 2024
Fields ready to show off his wheels this Sunday. Lets go beat the Falcons! #SteelersNation https://t.co/FmoHSHEclE
— Steelers Realm Podcast (@steelers_realm) September 7, 2024
Here. We. Go. 🔥 https://t.co/yx9dhtAlXX
— Matt Brennan (@MattyBrennan14) September 7, 2024
We’ll have to see how Fields performs if he does indeed start in place of Wilson on Sunday.