The Pittsburgh Steelers made major splashes at the quarterback position in the 2024 offseason after moving on from all three 2023. They chose to bring in two intriguing names, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who both struggled to succeed with their former teams, but now get opportunities for fresh starts.
Everyone, from the most casual fan to the most ardent analyst, is guessing who will be the starting quarterback in Week 1 when the Steelers travel to play the Atlanta Falcons on September 8th. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has said Wilson will be given the "pole position" heading into the season, but Fields will have an opportunity to compete.
Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who famously helped Pittsburgh win Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan, has weighed in with his thoughts. Bettis appeared on The Zach Gelb Show, where he was asked about the Steelers' new quarterback competition. Gelb mentioned Tomlin, implying that Wilson would start, adding that he doesn't see how Wilson can lose. He asked Bettis if he would be surprised to see anyone but Wilson in the top spot in Week 1 in Atlanta.
"It would surprise me. I think he's definitely the polished guy. You saw what he was doing last year in Denver. He didn't leave Denver because of his play. I can promise you that. But the question is Justin Fields. He's that joker because you don't know what you're going to get. You love his skill set and know what he's capable of, but can he put it all together, and will he develop to the next step?"
Bettis believes the Steelers will win either way, regardless of which quarterback starts. Tomlin is famous for his sayings, one of which is "iron sharpens iron," and Bettis believes it applies here. Going against each other, Wilson and Fields can only continue to improve.
The former running back believes that competition will be what gets the Steelers over the playoff hump. This competition will be the difference between going to the playoffs, losing in the first round, and making a deep run.
"I just think it's masterful what they've done. Because what they've now done is they're going to get a high level of quarterback play. That's the one thing that has eluded them ever since since [Ben] Roethlisberger left. They haven't had high-level quarterback play. So now you've got two veteran quarterbacks who say, 'I wanna be the guy,' and they're gonna bust their butts."
Bettis sees the Steelers' lack of a quality quarterback as their big issue the past several seasons. He said the team has had all the other weapons necessary to win—wide receiver, running back, tight end, a revamped offensive line and an incredible defense.
The team has been able to stay good enough to always draft around the 20th spot, thus preventing them from drafting a high-quality quarterback. The team will have all it needs to break the playoff drought with a quality quarterback.
Steelers Mike Tomlin Is Still The Man
With this long playoff win drought, a topic that comes up quite often is Tomlin and his ability to lead the team. Some feel the coach doesn't have what it takes to engineer another championship season and that it is time for him to step aside.
Bettis strongly believes that Tomlin is the right man for the job. He said this group has a "championship feel" with a new quarterback. He sees this quarterback as a way for Tomlin to prove it. He is willing to take risks and not just stand by his winning season record.
Who do you think will start Week 1? Do you see that remaining the same all season? Do you think either or both will return in 2025? What is the Steeler's best long-term solution? Click to
