The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in two quarterbacks with significant starting experience this offseason when they signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields. The 35-year-old Wilson is a legend on the downside of his career, and he hasn’t looked like his Hall of Fame self since 2020 with the Seattle Seahawks. Fields was supposed to be the Chicago Bears QB of the future until the team landed the rights to Caleb Williams. He always had talent but never really put it all together.
Justin Fields starting for Steelers Week 1 against Atlanta Falcons
Russell Wilson has been limited at practice, opening the door for Justin Fields to potentially start Week 1 for the Steelers.
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
With a dominant defense in place, the Steelers just need average quarterback play to have a shot in the AFC North. Both Wilson and Fields had their moments in training camp, but Wilson was emerging as the starter heading into Week 1. He was, at least, until Pittsburgh reported he had calf tightness on Thursday at practice.
Update: The team announced on Sunday that Fields will be s tarting for Pittsburgh against the Atlanta Falcons. Wilson will be inactive.
Previous: The Steelers have a history of being cautious with calf injuries, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. He reports that there’s a chance the Steelers start Fields against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 after all. Watch the full report here:
“None of this is a good sign for Russell Wilson’s availability on Sunday,” said Rapoport. “I’m just telling you the Steelers are unbelievably conservative when it comes to calf injuries.”
The Bears are rooting for Fields to take the starting job. Chicago dealt the QB to Pittsburgh for a sixth round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft that becomes a fourth round pick if Fields meets playing time criteria.
Could we have some drama in Pittsburgh if Fields starts and finds a way to beat a talented Falcons team? Week 1 is going to be fun.
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