Russell Wilson’s starting job could be in jeopardy in week 1 itself with Justin Fields knocking on the door? ESPN experts weigh in

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson may soon find himself on the bench. The team’s three-year starter, Justin Fields, is expected to take over the position early in the season.

While Fields represents an upgrade over last year’s quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph, Wilson’s performance will be crucial. His days as the Steelers’ starting quarterback could be numbered if he doesn’t show significant improvement.

In a segment by ESPN, “Get Up”, experts have weighed in on the situation. Host Mike Greenberg said that he believed it is a question about when and not ‘will the Steelers’ make a QB change or not. He further stated that HC Mike Tomlin might even think of a replacement amid the Week 1 game.

I'm gonna ask the question this way. As far as when Mike Tomlin will start thinking making a quarterback change. I'm not suggesting he'll do it. No, when he'll start thinking about it. If i put the over under at Week 1 or halftime. 

Mike Greenberg said

The host further added that Mike Tomlin at some point will start thinking about playing Justin Fields. Fields, being the younger one, is way more agile and athletic than the Super Bowl-winning champion Russell Wilson. In addition to Greenberg, other experts like former NFL player Mark Schlereth have earlier said that Wilson won’t be able to fend off Fields for far too long.

The Steelers bought both Wilson and Fields during this off-season. They signed Super Bowl-winning champion Wilson from the Denver Broncos. After three starting seasons with the Chicago Bears, Fields was traded to the Steelers in March 2024.

RELATED

Jets’ Sauce Gardner has a 5-word reaction to Patrick Surtain II becoming the highest-paid DB in NFL history

Could Russell Wilson-Justin Fields be a repeat of the 2023 QB drama?

Earlier, two-time Steelers Super Bowl-winning QB for the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger shared some concerns regarding the Steelers’ QBs this off-season. He said that he’s afraid there will be a repeat of what happened last year. After Trubisky started as QB1 and eventually failed, fans started booing him off the field.

This, in addition to Trubisky’s bad games, had forced HC Tomlin to play Pickett. Roethlisberger added that this may occur coming season as well if Wilson doesn’t perform to fans’ standards, forcing favorite Fields to step up early in the season.

The fans prefer young Fields over 35-year-old Russell Wilson. It also seemed like the Steelers’ offensive line found more wavelength with former Bears starting QB than Wilson. Fans will finally get to see the fruits of Tomlin’s decision when the Steelers start their season on 8th September against the Atlanta Falcons.

In case you missed:

• Leonard Floyd, who ended Aaron Rodgers’ season last year, will again attempt to sack him during the 49ers-Jets MNF game
• Elon Musk blames ‘Democrat policies’ for 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall getting shot by 17-year-old boy ahead of Presidential elections