The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has been a major storyline throughout the offseason. The drama began when the team took an unconventional route by signing Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. They further surprised many by trading Kenny Pickett after just two seasons, despite expectations that they would continue developing him for several more years. Following the Pickett trade, the Steelers traded for Justin Fields, adding another layer of intrigue to the quarterback competition.
There is ongoing debate about who is the better fit for the starting role in Pittsburgh. While Wilson currently holds the edge, Fields has a legitimate chance to claim the job. Many analysts believe the competition isn’t much of a battle, with Wilson being the clear favorite. However, not all insiders share this view.
Brian Batko, appearing on The Fan Morning Show on Friday, offered some fresh insight into the quarterback race. Batko suggested that Wilson may not have the position locked down, noting that Fields has kept the competition open.
"I’m not completely convinced that the door is not open at least a little bit, cracked a little bit for Fields… It very well may be Russ and I would probably still put my chips on Russ if I had to bet on it, but that’s not mutually exclusive with the Steelers aren’t actually considering both guys."
The debate over the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh is quite intriguing. The Steelers appear to view Wilson as their best immediate option for success. When they traded for Fields, they reportedly informed him that his role would be to learn from Wilson, potentially positioning him as the franchise's future.
According to Batko, the Steelers' willingness to adapt could mean that Fields remains a viable contender for the starting job.
"All I am really going off here is what we have seen in training camp, practice, and the preseason games. We all thought they would never fire Matt Canada midseason. We all thought they would never give up on Kenny Pickett after two years, so I just don’t understand how you can really discount anything that big with this current state of the team. That’s where I am at with it… but it might be more of a legitimate competition than some of us are giving it credit for."
The Steelers have recently adopted a different approach, yet the situation with their quarterback remains relatively consistent. National media have been fueling the narrative of a genuine quarterback battle, but Mike Tomlin has been clear and steady in his statements.
While he hasn’t officially named a Week 1 starter, it would be surprising if it isn’t Wilson.
Steelers' Justin Fields And Russell Wilson Will Be Battling All Season Long
Tomlin has consistently indicated that Wilson is in pole position for the job. For Fields to win the starting role by Week 1, he would need to make a significant impact. However, the situation could evolve as the season progresses. If Wilson struggles and resembles his performance from his first year with the Denver Broncos, Fields might seize the opportunity to take the job.
Steelers fans are optimistic, believing that any quarterback addition represents an upgrade from recent years. Both Wilson and Fields have much to prove and are eager to restore Super Bowl hopes to the Steel City. The 2024 season promises to be compelling as this quarterback controversy unfolds.
