The Steelers entered the 2024 preseason with one of the more intriguing quarterback situations in the NFL.
Pittsburgh moved on from 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett during the offseason after he struggled during his two seasons with the team. They also parted with Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky while bringing in four new quarterbacks to round out the depth chart.
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were the biggest names of the bunch, and it was anticipated the duo would battle for the starting job. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin insisted the role belonged to Wilson, but his up-and-down preseason performance brought about theories that Fields could potentially overtake him.
Wilson and Fields were given chances to stake their claims to the starting job in Pittsburgh's third preseason game. Here's what to know about their respective performances in what could be the decisive moment for their quarterback battle.
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Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields stats today
Wilson got the start for the Steelers against the Lions. The 12-year veteran has operated in that role throughout the preseason, so it wasn't a surprise to see him on the field first.
Wilson led the Steelers to a touchdown on their first drive of the day. It came on a 31-yard run by Cordarrelle Patterson, but Wilson set up the play with a big passing conversion on a third-and-long early in the drive.
That was the only action Wilson saw in the game before yielding the starting role to Fields. Like Wilson, he immediately found success as a passer, finding MyCole Pruitt open for a big gain and trying to show off his mobility.
Fields played three drives for Pittsburgh and led the team to a touchdown on his first one. However, the offense stalled during his next two, so he exited the game having accounted for seven points, just like Wilson.
Below is a look at how the two passers performed head-to-head in the final game of the preseason.
| Russell Wilson | Justin Fields | |
| 2/2 | Comp/Att | 3/4 |
| 100 | Comp. % | 75 |
| 26 | Pass yards | 40 |
| 0 | Pass TDs | 0 |
| 0 | INTs | 0 |
| 118.8 | Passer rating | 106.2 |
| 0 | Sacks | 2 |
| 0 | Rush yards | 4 |
| 0 | Rush TDs | 0 |
After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin was asked if he was ready to anoint a starting quarterback but he wouldn't commit right away.
"We'll make a decision at the end of our work week this upcoming week," Tomlin told the media, according to TribLive.com's Joe Rutter.
"We have three days of Steelers versus Steelers work. Why not do it then and kind of minimize the Steelers versus Steelers work when we start making decisions prior to the completion of that week? We have ample time to prepare for Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements in regards to the pecking order and so forth, we'll do it at the end of the work week."
MORE: Full breakdown of Justin Fields' performance vs. Lions
Russell Wilson, Justin Fields highlights vs. Lions
Wilson and Fields had good moments during their outing against the Lions, and Wilson helped set the tone for the game on his first completion.
On an early third-and-11, Wilson got great protection from his offensive line and delivered a perfect strike to George Pickens down the sideline. The 32-yard completion moved the chains and showed what the veteran quarterback can do when properly protected.
Russ finds Pickens 👀
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2024
📺: #PITvsDET on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/h1UfOJUZWH
Fields matched Wilson's strong performance on his first drive. The former Bears draft pick showed great accuracy and an ability to read the field on a 22-yard pass to MyCole Pruitt on his lone touchdown drive of the game.
Fields also showed a willingness to move in the pocket and executed a smart read-option play to get a first down.
Great drive from Justin Fields ends in a La’Mical Perine touchdown 👀 pic.twitter.com/3waT8WhHAN
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) August 24, 2024
That said, Fields also had a lowlight during the contest. He wasn't ready for a third-down snap on his second drive of the game. The ball deflected past him and he was forced to scramble after picking the ball up in the backfield.
Justin Fields didn’t see the snap coming, 4th down 😬pic.twitter.com/OnBg3yx99P
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) August 24, 2024
While Fields did well to lessen the impact of his gaffe, it was still a notable mistake. Given that he was already behind Wilson in the quarterback competition — at least based on what Mike Tomlin has said — that could be enough to keep him in a backup role to start the 2024 NFL season.
Even so, it appears that the two quarterbacks are neck and neck on the Steelers quarterback depth chart.
