The Pittsburgh Steelers switched quarterbacks early this offseason, replacing Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Following a lengthy argument over who would be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2024, head coach Mike Tomlin provided clarity.
Tomlin had an important part in Pittsburgh’s acquisition of two new quarterbacks. He persuaded Wilson to sign with the Steelers despite interest from the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants. He was also said to be one of the Steelers’ top supporters of Fields.
Russell Wilson salary: $1.21 million in 2024
Wilson was the first quarterback Pittsburgh acquired this spring, but his minimum salary and a seeming lack of upside have led some to believe that Fields will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2024. However, Pittsburgh is already considering a long-term deal for Wilson after the season.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Tomlin revealed the pecking order on the Steelers depth chart at quarterback in the months before minicamp and training camp this summer.
Tomlin stated that Wilson would hold the “pole position” in the room and is the early favorite to start for Pittsburgh in Week One. However, the Steelers’ coach made it obvious that Fields will have a chance to compete for the job.
“Rest confident, when it comes time to compete, Justin (Fields) will be given the opportunity, and we’ll let those guys sort themselves out. But I felt it was appropriate to express it in terms of how we got started.”
Justin Fields stats 2023: 86.3 QB rating, 61.4 percent completion rate, 16-9 TD-INT, 2,562 passing yards, 657 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry, 4 rushing touchdowns in 13 games
Who will be the Steelers starting quarterback in 2024?
While Wilson is the leading candidate to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2024, the decision will ultimately come down to which player is a better fit in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense.
The schematic fit and each quarterback’s limitations are why this position battle becomes so intriguing. Fields and Wilson have the two highest sack rates in the NFL over the last two seasons and both quarterbacks use the middle of the field far less frequently than many of their peers. Protecting the football and making throws between the hashes are an integral part of Smith’s offense.
Whichever of Fields or Wilson demonstrates they can reduce the frequency of their mistakes and can better tailor their skills to fit the scheme will likely be the Steelers starting quarterback. However, regardless of who starts in Week 1, both quarterbacks will likely see the field in the regular season. Notably, if Fields plays at least 51 percent of the offensive snaps for Pittsburgh this fall, the Chicago Bears receiver a 2025 fourth-round pick.
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