Mike Tomlin to decide between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for Steelers QB1 by week’s end

Mike Tomlin is delaying his QB decision to assess Russell Wilson and Justin Fields over the next few days.

Mike Tomlin to decide between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for Steelers QB1 by week’s end

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin hasn't decided who is Steelers QB 1 between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields (Image via IMAGO)

The Steelers preseason is done and dusted, but Mike Tomlin still doesn’t have a clear favorite as his starting quarterback between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Tomlin revealed they have time on their hands and don’t want to rush into making a decision.

Following their second pre-season loss against the Detroit Lions on Friday night, head coach Mike Tomlin faced the media and the first question he had to answer about their starting quarterback. Tomlin played it safe by keeping all his cards open for now.

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We’ll make a decision at the end of our work week this upcoming week. We have three days of Steelers versus Steelers work, and why not do it then?
Mike Tomlin said

In the veteran coach’s view, there’s no point rushing into the decision because they have two very good and capable quarterbacks. He wants to take advantage of an extra few days of practice before their trip to face the Atlanta Falcons on opening week.

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We’ve got ample time to prepare for Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements regarding division of labor or pecking orders and so forth, and so we’ll do it at the end of the work week.
Mike Tomlin added

The Steelers fielded all four of their quarterbacks (Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen, and John Rhys Plumlee) against the Lions at Ford Field. They combined attempted 15 passes to the Lions 28, only seeing the ball for just 24 minutes.

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Justin Fields and Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson remains ahead of Justin Fields in the quarterback order

Wilson joined the Steelers very early in the off-season, and Fields followed him not long after. However, the veteran Super Bowl winner did not participate too much in the training camp because of a sore ankle until the last few weeks.

Mike Tomlin still unsure between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for QB 1, says "We’ll make a decision at the end of our work week"
Russell Wilson (Image via IMAGO)

In terms of seniority, Wilson has Fields beat, but the former Chicago Bears quarterback won over the Steelers Nation with his flamboyant style of play.

The consensus is that fans want to see excitement on the pitch because they have been devoid of it in the last few years. Yet the preceding in the Lions game suggests that Wilson currently is in the driver’s seat. He started the game, played one drive, created a rushing touchdown through Cordarrelle Patterson for 31 yards, and then was taken off.

We just needed results that were indicative of how we’ve worked. They [Wilson and Patterson] were able to put together a scoring and really just provide an opportunity to get Justin in there sooner.
Mike Tomlin added

Russell Wilson completed 2/2 for 26 yards and then handed the ball over to Fields, who completed 3/4 for 40 yards. Allen and Plumlee wrapped up the final few reps as the game finished 24-17 for the Lions. Dan Campbell’s side will welcome the Los Angeles Rams in their opening week.

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