Can Justin Fields Win the Steelers QB Competition Over Russell Wilson?

Just two NFL teams are yet to name their Week 1 starting quarterbacks — the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers’ quarterback room underwent immense change this offseason. Kenny Pickett, who started 12 games last year, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Mitchell Trubisky, who started two games last season, signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency. Mason Rudolph, who started the other three games and the team’s lone playoff game, signed with the Tennessee Titans.

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The Steelers needed to replace an entire quarterback room and did so by signing veteran Russell Wilson after he was released by the Denver Broncos. Then, the Steelers agreed to a trade with the Chicago Bears, bringing in former No. 11 overall pick Justin Fields.

Wilson entered camp in “pole position” for the starting quarterback job, but Fields has made it a competition. To this point, head coach Mike Tomlin has yet to name an official starter.

On Thursday, Fields was asked about the competition but deferred all those questions to Tomlin. Instead, he spoke about what he’s been doing thus far at camp.

“I think I’ve shown what I can do,” Fields said to reporters. “I think the time that I did have with the [first team] practicing in training camp, I think that went well. I think we grew a lot each and every day, but at the end of the day, it’s not up to me. I’m just going to come in here every day, each and every day, the same person, being a leader for this team and work my butt off, and everything else will be handled.”

Wilson is starting the team’s third and final preseason game on Saturday against the Detroit Lions. However, Fields remains in play for the starting spot.

“I try to not think about stuff that I can’t control,” Fields said of the competition. “I try to just think about the stuff that I can control, so I can’t control whether or not I’m going to be named the starter. I can control how I come in every day, how I work every day and how I treat my teammates and every day.”

Fields has appeared in both preseason games thus far. Across the two games, he’s completed 16 of 23 passes for 159 yards while rushing 11 times for 44 yards. Wilson only appeared in the second preseason game, completing 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards.

Saturday’s game will be the final opportunity for both quarterbacks to impress and earn the starting nod in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.

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