The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a 4-2 start, but the coaching staff appears to be leaning toward a major change.
On Saturday, multiple reports said the Steelers would name veteran signal-caller Russell Wilson as the starter for the team’s Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets.
Fourth-year quarterback Justin Fields started the first six games of the season.
On Tuesday, NFL Network reported that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was still weighing the decision. Wilson has reportedly been taking practice reps with the Steelers’ first-team offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson on the sideline during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium on September 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
Wilson was expected to be the starter after training camp, but he was inactive for the Steelers’ season opener against the Atlanta Falcons due to a calf injury.
Fields helped the Steelers win their first three games of the year. But Pittsburgh lost back-to-back games before pulling off a dominant win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.
STEELERS LEGEND ‘ABSOLUTELY NOT THINKING’ OF REPLACING JUSTIN FIELD WITH RUSSELL WILSON
While Fields has had some success this season, he admits his overall performance hasn’t cemented him as a starter.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2) during an offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
“I don’t think I played well enough if I’m honest with you,” Fields told reporters this week. “If I’m honest with myself, I think if I played well enough, I don’t think there’s going to be a ‘who should play, who shouldn’t play?’”
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that while Wilson is expected to get the starting nod this weekend and “play the majority of the time,” Fields will likely still see playing time.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Oct. 13, 2024. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
Fields has thrown five touchdowns and one interception in six games. He has also rushed for 231 yards. But the Steelers’ offense has been pedestrian, ranking 26th in total offense.
Wilson enters Sunday’s game with a 3-1 career record as a starter against the Jets. Sunday’s game will also mark the eighth time Wilson and Aaron Rodgers have met in an NFL game.
