Tomlin: ‘Difficult Decision’ to Name Russell Wilson Steelers Starting QB

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed what might’ve been the worst-kept secret in Pittsburgh sports on Wednesday, revealing that Russell Wilson will be his team’s starting quarterback for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.

Tomlin said that the decision between Wilson and Justin Fields was challenging, though he gave Wilson pole position from the outset and it was abundantly clear after the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions last week that Wilson had done enough to win the job.

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“I met with both quarterbacks here just a few minutes ago after practice and I informed them that Russ is QB1 going into Week 1,” Tomlin said after practice on Wednesday.

“It was a difficult decision, but not difficult in a negative way, to be quite honest with you.  It was difficult in a positive way. The decision was difficult because of what they’re capable of doing. The decision was difficult because of how they’ve conducted themselves, as opposed to the things they fall short in.”

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Field during a training camp practice on Aug. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Wilson won the job despite missing most of the first two weeks of training camp and the first preseason game with a calf injury suffered during the team’s camp-opening run test. Tomlin said Wilson showed enough during his time to win the job.

“Obviously, Russ’ injury created some challenges in that process in terms of exposure to him, but in the same token, it created more opportunities and avenues to get to know Justin and for Justin to get to show what he’s capable of,” Tomlin said.

“A lot of work got done in a practice setting. You guys come to our practices. They’re intense and they’re intense by design, because we’ve got to know. I hate speculation. It’s a football-like environment. We try to make it as football-like as we can. And I saw enough to be comfortable, certainly.”

Tomlin said that the team will consider using Fields in a situational role highlighting his athleticism, but he declined to discuss details.

“I know you guys might have some questions about the potential of package football, given his skillset and that’s certainly on the table, but I’m not going to get into many details about that,” he said. “Make no mistake, his unique talent in terms of mobility is something that we’re open to weaponizing. … I’ll leave all of that on the table. Speculate away.”