The biggest story surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers has been that the team is exploring and potentially nearing a deal to land San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in a blockbuster trade. While the NFL world scrambles to find out if this is true, the true training camp storyline for the team is starting to gain steam.
More news: Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Wants to Get Rid of One Big Element of Training Camp
Most teams released their unofficial depth charts this week to prepare for preseason action, and the Steelers were no different. What made their initial depth chart interesting is Russell Wilson has been named as the starting quarterback.
Wilson being named QB1 is not at all shocking, but it does get a bit trickier following the comments made by head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin reiterated on Wednesday that the quarterback competition has not yet been settled.
#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin confirmed that there is, in fact, a QB competition between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
Wilson, who is dealing with a calf injury, remains QB1.
Fields will start on Friday vs. the Texans, while Wilson will not play.pic.twitter.com/89upXew1x7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 7, 2024
Tomlin was speaking to reporters after practice when he was asked outright if the competition battle between Wilson and Justin Fields is still a competition.
“It very much is a competition. What happens in the stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in the practice setting because it’s more game-like.”
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Tomlin stated that the competition between Wilson and Fields is still ongoing, and even further indicated that preseason games will matter a great deal to decide who will be the starter. What benefits Fields is he can start before Wilson, as Wilson is dealing with an injury. Wilson did give a recent update on his health status.
“I’m feeling great,” said Wilson. “Just to be fully in practice and involved and doing everything. I’ve been involved in doing all the drills and everything for the past seven, or eight days, however many days it has been. But to be fully in there with the team drills, everything else, it feels great.”
Wilson has been limited in camp due to a calf injury he sustained, giving Fields plenty of time to work with the first-team offense. Still, Wilson does have the benefit of being a longer veteran working in his favor.
Back in March, Tomlin stated that Wilson had the “pole position” in terms of becoming the starter, though that does not mean he cannot be outpaced by Fields.
The Steelers fell into a very favorable situation when they signed Wilson and traded for Fields. They went from having one of the most questionable quarterback rooms in the NFL to having two viable starters.
Preseason games will now be even more crucial to determine which quarterback will be under center come Week 1.
