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Russell Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers with the intention to take over as a starter under center. It seems that QB1 status is now up in the air.
Questions about his quarterback battle with Justin Fields are growing as the NFL season nears. Analyst Louis Riddick believes there’s a legitimate possibility of seeing Wilson begin the year on the bench.
Part of that thinking revolves around Wilson’s health. The passer has been sidelines this fall with a minor calf strain.
With Wilson on the sidelines, Fields has gotten the majority of the first-team reps. He’s reportedly excelled in those opportunities.
Reports from earlier this offseason all but solidified Russell Wilson’s QB1 status, noting his grasp of the offense as well as some early struggles on Fields’ end. The story has done a complete 180 in August!
Louis Riddick noted that shift, and he believes there’s a good chance we see Justin Fields take the first snap when the Steelers open up the year against Atlanta.
“When training camp started, [Mike Tomlin’s] words were, ‘Russ has the pole position,'” he said. “Everybody kind of took that as, ‘This is Russ’s job to lose. It’s not really a competition…’
“Now, everything’s different. If I’m Russ, I’m sitting there thinking, ‘I’ve got to get my butt on this field quick…’ I have a feeling, based on my conversations, that if Justin can continue to ascend – like he is looking in practice – he’s going to start Week 1.”
Mike Tomlin says the QB race is wide open between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
Wilson signed with the Steelers for cheap as he’s still being paid by the Denver Broncos. In doing so, it was reported that he’d asked for a commitment to be named starter.
When the Broncos benched quarterback Russell Wilson and it quickly became obvious that they’ll cut him before his 2025 salary of $37 million becomes fully guaranteed on March 17, a sense emerged that Wilson will take the league minimum elsewhere ($1.21 million) and stick the Broncos with the balance of his $39 million fully-guaranteed compensation package for 2024.
However, Wilson won’t be doing that as a backup. He’ll want, in exchange for his willingness to take so little, a commitment that he’ll be the starter.
Justin Fields disregarded Wilson’s request, and it could pay off come opening day!
Riddick says that the Steelers don’t owe Russell Wilson anything, despite his decision to join the roster on a minimum contract. His limited action in preseason camp has only muddied the situation under center.
If Wilson doesn’t return to the field soon, he could wind up on the bench for Week 1. That’s a scenario most didn’t expect just a few short weeks ago.