It's no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers view quarterback Russell Wilson as their favorite to be the starter come Week 1. But could fellow signal-caller Justin Fields pull off an upset before then?
That remains to be seen, but someone who hasn't ruled it out is head coach Mike Tomlin, who basically said as much during his media availability on Wednesday morning.
According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Tomlin reiterated his stance about Wilson being the starter, but the team still considers it a competition between the two. Tomlin added that game results will weigh heavier than practice results will.
"You guys saw the depth chart I released yesterday. That is real," Tomlin said.
"Very much is a competition," he added. "What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting because it's more game-like."
Of course, this view is nothing new. Tomlin has said on multiple occasions that he considers Wilson the starter, but he has also always left the door open for something to change.
In the same presser, Tomlin revealed that Wilson, who is currently atop the Steelers' first unofficial depth chart, would not play in the preseason Week 1 contest against the Houston Texans.
Tomlin confirmed that he does consider his QB position to be a competition, and that right now, Russell Wilson is the starter.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 7, 2024
He did say that in-stadium results will weight more heavily than practice ones. https://t.co/CnkMRisWuv
In his absence, Fields will start and get a few series with the first-team offense, which gives the young quarterback a big opportunity to show his stuff and possibly make progress in his quest for the starting job.
MIke Tomlin said Justin Fields and the first unit will probably play a couple series against the Texans.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 7, 2024
Fields has been a standout at training camp thus far, but clearly he still has some work to do if he wants to supplant Wilson on the depth chart. The good news for Fields is, he still has a chance.
