Pittsburgh Steelers' Quarterback Dilemma: Tomlin Delays Decision

Preseason is ending, and the Pittsburgh Steelers stand at a crossroads with a major decision pending. Head coach Mike Tomlin is yet to name a starter among Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, given both are gunning for the top spot.

The Steelers finished their preseason games with a 0-3 record, while the decision to extend their quarterback competition into a practice week leading up to the regular season is now rare. After the summer outings ended with a loss to the Detroit Lions, both athletes stood on one side of the field with opportunities to make a statement on the other. Although Russell Wilson started strong by leading Pittsburgh to a touchdown and showing first-team potential within six minutes of the start, the Broncos’ two-year issue had finally led to his release. In contrast, Justin Fields was acquired from the Chicagos, and the rookie has shown the advantage of a dual-threat quarterback by shooting 199 yards through the air and running 48 more.

Tomlin’s strategy will last until the end, with additional scrimmages on the field inside the building inside this period. “We’ve got ample time to prepare for Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements regarding divisional labor or pecking orders and so forth, and so we’ll do it at the end of the work week,” Tomlin said.

During the summer months, the duo of quarterbacks hit the target, as Wilson made ten attempts to connect with a total of 73 yards. At the same time, Field threw many dangerous passes during the extended stay on the field and gained 199 yards through successful passes, with the upstart providing a dynamic addition to the leader. With the Broncos still bearing a generous dead cap from the veteran’s salary and paying the winner, the final decision defies Wilson’s contract value.

The decision to extend the competition for a starting spot could lead to various outcomes. On the one hand, the Atlanta offense would enter their clash with the organization, not knowing which player would line up behind the center. On the other hand, none of the quarterbacks has confirmed their standing, which could lead to either heated competition between the two or the onset of dilemmas within the group. Overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers may be setting an important precedent on how high-profile freestyle leaders’ cities make decisions. Not only will this determine the outcome of the 2025 campaign, but it will set other organizations’ approaches to similar situations in the future. As the organization enters season one, with the exception of 2023 in franchise history, the upcoming camp days will not be less exciting than any playoff game played on Super Bowl Sunday.