NFL Rumors: Russell Wilson Could Get ‘Another Shot’ to Be Steelers’ QB1 over Fields

Julia StumbaughSeptember 18, 2024

Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson could get “another shot” at replacing Justin Fields as starter once he has recovered from the calf injury that is set to keep him off the field through Week 3.

“I could be in the minority here, but based on the talks I’ve had with people inside and outside the organization, my sense is that Wilson’s stronger command of the offense will give him another shot once ready,” Fowler wrote.

Fowler noted that Wilson’s chances of starting in Week 4 could hinge on the result of Field’s Sunday start against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“If Fields goes 3-0, I don’t see a scenario in which Tomlin makes an immediate move to Wilson, who’s lack of reps dating to late-July is working against him,” Fowler wrote. “But I also don’t see a scenario in which Wilson doesn’t play at all this season, either.”

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that the team was preparing for Fields, who was named Wilson’s backup at the start of the season, to start on Sunday. Fields has led Pittsburgh to a 2-0 season start with wins against the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.

Fields has gone 30-of-43 through his first two starts in black and gold, marking a career-best 69.8 percent completion rate while throwing for 273 yards and one touchdown. He has added 84 yards on the ground.

The Steelers offense has overall been low-scoring through Fields, with Pittsburgh combining for 31 points and one touchdown in their two wins.

Of those points, 25 have come from kicker Chris Boswell, who has gone 8-of-8 from field goal range with four kicks over 50 yards and made the extra point on Fields’ single passing touchdown against the Broncos.

So far it has been the Steelers’ defense that has been the star of the season, with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith effective in putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the defensive line holding both the Falcons and Broncos under 90 rushing yards apiece.

That has worked for Pittsburgh so far largely because Fields has been able to able avoid throwing picks, with no interceptions and no lost fumbles through two games.

Meanwhile, Wilson is continuing to work through the calf tightness that limited him during preseason and training camp. As of Tomlin’s announcement, the veteran quarterback had not yet been a full participant in practice since tweaking his injured calf on Sept. 5, as noted by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

When speaking to reporters on Tuesday Tomlin did not rule out the possibility that Wilson could return in time for Sunday’s contest.

“We’ll follow Russ throughout the week, and if his participation gets to a level in participation and quality where we should consider him, we’ll delve into that at that time, and obviously when that happens is a component of the consideration,” Tomlin said, per Pryor.

Wilson last saw NFL action in December 2023 before he was benched for his final two games as a Bronco. Fields, who has the advantage of more recent experience, could boost his case for keeping the starting job by leading the Steelers offense to a higher-scoring win over the Chargers.