The Pittsburgh Steelers have been the topic of conversation in the national media throughout the 2024 season - mainly because of the team's quarterback situation. Justin Fields was the starter for the first six games of the season, and he led the team to a 4-2 record. Many were surprised when Head Coach Mike Tomlin decided to bench Fields in favor of a healthy Russell Wilson ahead of the team's Week 7 matchup with the New York Jets. The decision worked out for Tomlin, as Wilson helped Pittsburgh capture a 37-15 victory.
Wilson stunned in the victory for Pittsburgh as he threw for over 260 yards and two touchdowns while also running one in. The offense looked the best it has all season, and it sure seems like Wilson will be the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Wilson and Fields have been competing for the starting job since the start of training camp, and Wilson spoke highly of Fields after his first start during his postgame press conference.
"You know we are in a tremendous situation where we are." Wilson said. "We just want to win, that's what we're focused on. I gotta give Justin Fields credit man, just all the things that he was able to do, how great he has been playing. Man, he inspires me everyday with how he works and vice versa. We have a great relationship, he's a tremendous quarterback, he's a franchise quarterback, he's a leader, he's got all the intangibles."
The veteran has been very public with how highly he thinks of Fields and the two clearly have a great relationship. The most interesting part of him talking about Fields is calling the fourth-year player a franchise quarterback.
Fields and Wilson are in a unique situation where they are both only signed through the end of the 2024 season - and they have each given the franchise plenty of reasons to sign either one of them to a new deal. Fields is considerably younger, which may give him the edge to be back in Pittsburgh in 2025.
Steelers' Wilson Has Been Mentoring Justin Fields
Wilson is one of most experienced quarterbacks in the NFL today, and he has had plenty of success. He won a Super Bowl in just his second season with the Seattle Seahawks, and the Seahawks were competitors in the NFC for the majority of his time there. He clearly knows what it takes to win and succeed, and he has made sure to pass whatever he can down to Fields. He spoke about this during his post game press conference.
"Whatever I can give to him and show him and just be around him, that's part of my job." Wilson said. "You know and I really believe that. Just being the second black quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl, there's an obligation to make sure I help him. Not just him, but everybody that I encounter."
This situation couldn't have worked out better for Pittsburgh. The organization was able to get a look at Fields to start the year, and Wilson has come in and played at a high level in his first start. He is also willing to serve as a mentor to Fields so that he can succeed later in his career. Pittsburgh has two very capable quarterbacks, and the relationship between them is clearly strong.
Wilson will look to build on his success in Week 8 when the Steelers take on the New York Giants. It should be a winnable game for Pittsburgh, especially if Wilson continues to play like he did on Sunday night.
