Who is the Steelers' starter? Russell Wilson beats Justin Fields in the Pittsburgh QB battle

Daniel Mader

•
Who is the Steelers' starter? Russell Wilson beats Justin Fields in the Pittsburgh QB battle image

As we quickly approach the start of the NFL regular season, a few of the league’s 32 teams have not yet gotten their starting quarterbacks set in place.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer one of those teams. 

With the three games of preseason action in the rear-view, and the regular season on the horizon, there was still speculation and a lack of clarity on which of Pittsburgh’s offseason acquisitions will start: Russell Wilson or Justin Fields? 

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin provided that answer on Wednesday, tabbing one of them as the new starting quarterback of the Steelers in what he called it a "difficult decision."

Here’s an updated look at the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart, along with the latest updates on the Steel City’s starter. 

MORE: Why Caleb Williams is being compared to Patrick Mahomes

Steelers QB depth chart

RankPlayer
1Russell Wilson
2Justin Fields
3Kyle Allen

Tomlin announced on Wednesday that Wilson won the starting for Week 1 over Fields. The Super Bowl champion will be running the offense for his third team in the NFL. 

On the team website’s depth chart, Wilson has been listed as QB1, but that was not yet official until Tomlin made the decision. Fields will be the backup, while Kyle Allen is QB3. 

Wilson, who spent the last two seasons with the Broncos, had a solid 2023 season with 26 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions.

MORE: Best NFL betting sites and promos for 2024

Meanwhile, Fields became replaceable once the Chicago Bears landed the No. 1 pick and drafted USC phenom Caleb Williams. Despite already signing Wilson to a one-year deal, Pittsburgh swooped in via trade to create a competition at quarterback.

Fields, now entering his fourth season in the NFL, threw 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and registered 657 rushing yards last season in Chicago.

Wilson figures to offer more of a pocket presence, higher accuracy on throws, and veteran experience from his 12 years in the league over Fields. However, he lost a starting role last year with Denver. 

Fields is younger (25) and can be a dynamic talent at times, capable of using his speed and agility on the ground or to escape defenders before making his throws.

Russell Wilson, Justin Fields stats

Over the course of the preseason, both Wilson and Fields have struggled at times. 

In the second week of preseason against the Bills, Wilson finished 8/10, but with just 47 passing yards. Fields finished 11/17 with 92 passing yards and 42 rushing yards. 

Neither stayed in long in the third and final preseason contest. Wilson was 2/2 for 26 yards while Fields was 3/4 for 40. 

The performances by the Steelers’ quarterbacks in the preseason only stirred up more controversy across national media before the final decision was made. 

Against Buffalo, Fields had an overthrow toward the back of the end zone that even a massive leap by his wide receiver couldn’t mask.

As for Wilson, his inability to avoid sacks was an issue in the preseason matchup.

MORE: NFL preseason Week 2 overreactions, takeaways

For now, Wilson gets the starting nod and Fields will sit on the sidelines. However, the young quarterback will be ready if the veteran is not performing up to standards. 

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader Photo

Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University. Previously, he covered Penn State, high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. He grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.