Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Russell Wilson still holds the lead in the ongoing quarterback battle, despite an open competition for the starting position.
Tomlin addressed reporters on Wednesday, stating that Wilson will not play in the upcoming preseason opener against the Houston Texans due to a calf injury. Instead, Justin Fields will start and play a few series with the first team.
“Very much is a competition,” Tomlin emphasized. “What happens in the stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting.”
The preseason games present Fields with an opportunity to close the gap in the QB1 race. However, Wilson was listed as the starter on a preliminary depth chart released on Tuesday night.
“You guys saw the depth chart that I released yesterday,” Tomlin said. “That is real.”
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Tomlin expressed no concern about the 35-year-old Wilson missing reps with his new offense, maintaining confidence in his veteran quarterback. While Tomlin has consistently indicated that Wilson has the upper hand, he also praised Fields for his performance during training camp.
“I think he just comes to compete every day,” Tomlin remarked. “He’s got an awesome competitive spirit. We have a competitive environment, and it seems like he’s enjoying it. He’s doing a really good job of acclimating himself to it, his teammates, and letting his talents show.”
At 25, Fields has the potential to make the quarterback competition more intriguing with a strong preseason performance. Tomlin highlighted the importance of every opportunity to showcase talent.
“I think everything is an audition,” Tomlin said. “Everything that we do is an audition not only for him but for others.”
As the preseason progresses, all eyes will be on Fields to see if he can challenge Wilson for the starting quarterback role, adding an extra layer of excitement to the Steelers’ preparation for the upcoming season.
