Russell Wilson has an advantage over Justin Fields due to his background and experience.
Fields will get an opportunity to compete, but Wilson is regarded as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, according to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin‘s comments on Monday. Tomlin said,
“We’re not resistant to competition, but as I’ve mentioned several times of late, I just think it’s appropriate to establish positioning. … and the term that I’ve used is Russell has pole position,”
“And why do I use that term? Because during this time where we are not formally working, I just think it’s beneficial. His experience in the National Football League, his process has been honed and perfected.
“Talking about over a 12-month calendar, it’s not only good for him, it’s good for teams, it’s good for receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. All the things that people really committed to winning do this time of the year, Russell has those resources, that structure. And so that’s why I say he has pole position. It just creates a synergy that I think is good for this time of year. When it’s time to compete and we get in training camp-like settings and we’re going to stadiums and so forth, obviously Justin be given an opportunity to show people.”
After Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback, was cut by Denver earlier this month, the Steelers redesigned their quarterback room by signing him to a veteran’s minimum contract of $1.21 million.
Russell Wilson’s arrival has started a chain of events
Following Wilson’s arrival, Kenny Pickett, the team’s 2022 first-round selection, requested a trade, according to Tomlin. In exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025, Pittsburgh transferred Fields—a first-round pick in 2021—to Philadelphia and obtained Fields from Chicago.
The Steelers also allowed Mitch Trubisky of the Bills and Mason Rudolph of the Titans to depart in free agency.
After being acquired by the Broncos in a trade with Seattle, Wilson, 35, had an 11-19 record in his first two seasons there. after his remarkable comeback from a terrible 2022 season, he lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after throwing for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions in coach Sean Payton’s first season.
Wilson spent ten seasons as the Seahawks’ quarterback, leading the team to eight postseason trips and a Super Bowl victory.
Rudolph started for the Steelers in a wild-card playoff game, but they lost. After replacing Pickett, who was 7-5 before suffering an injury, Rudolph went 3-0.