Mike Tomlin gets candid on heated Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields rivalry brewing in Pittsburgh

Head coach Mike Tomlin opened up about the quarterback situation at the Steelers with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields performing well.

Mike Tomlin gets candid on heated Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields rivalry brewing in Pittsburgh

Mike Tomlin on heated Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields rivalry (Via Imago)

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have a brewing rivalry on its horizon as both its newly-signed quarterbacks are competing for the starting position. Although Russell Wilson is favored for the position, Justin Fields’ performance at the training camp has got everyone thinking if it should be him to start for the Steelers in Week 1. 

The NFL 2024 regular season is just around the corner, but like a few other teams the Steelers also don’t have the starting quarterback decided yet. Both Wilson and Fields have performed quite well in the training camp, but the latter appeared to have overshone the former a little. 

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Amid the brewing rivalry, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin finally opened up about the quarterback situation during an appearance on the Up & Adams show. While talking about the former Chicago Bears quarterback, Tomlin revealed the one thing he keeps reminding himself to tell Fields. 

FS Video
You know the big thing that messages him informally [or] formally… that I don't wanna squash his natural instincts. His mobility and escapability is a weapon. And we don’t want to minimize that...So if anything, from a messaging standpoint, I’ve probably mentioned that to him a few times. He’s new to the environment. I don’t want him to over-analyze what we might be thinking. I want him to do what comes natural as it pertains to his game.
Mike Tomlin said

Fans will finally get to see more of Fields in action, after his Chicago fiasco, this coming week when the Steelers are set to host the Houston Texans on a Friday night game to commence the preseason. 

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Mike Tomlin names Russell Wilson as frontrunner for starting job

While acknowledging the competition between both the quarterbacks, head coach Tomlin revealed that veteran quarterback Wilson is favored for the job and is his choice as well. He believes Wilson’s resume and veteran experience in the NFL will certainly work in favor of the team. 

We lean on it and will allow him to lead the group informally in terms of some of the things that he’s done to produce the type of career he has.
Mike Tomlin said
Justin Fields
Justin Fields (via IMAGO)

Tomlin also said that the standard that Fields is setting for himself in the training camp will grow more with Wilson’s experience, believing the fourth-year quarterback will learn a lot from the nine-time Pro Bowler. 

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