Steelers QB battle: Mike Tomlin will choose between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields next week

Mike Tomlin has decided to wait before announcing his starting quarterback for the 2024 season. Tomlin declined to answer the question after Saturday’s preseason finale against the Lions, though it seems a foregone conclusion that Russell Wilson will start in Pittsburgh’s regular-season opener against Atlanta, replacing Justin Fields.

“We have three days to work on Steelers vs. Steelers and why not get it done then?” Tomlin said, via NFL Media. “It makes the work of Steelers vs. Steelers less of a chore when we start making decisions before it’s even done. We have plenty of time to prepare for Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements we need to make about divisional labor or pecking order and so forth.”

“And so, we’ll do it at the end of the work week.”

In the final showdown of the summer, the Steelers gave Wilson a starting spot and it didn’t take long for the veteran to show why he should be the top option. Wilson completed both of his passes on the scoring drive, each in the direction of wideout George Pickens. The first was a play-action throw behind the line of scrimmage that saw the offense move back six yards, but the duo immediately made up for it by connecting on a 32-yard play down the left sideline that put the Steelers in Lions territory.

Two plays later, running back Cordarrelle Patterson ran for a 31-yard touchdown to impressively finish off Wilson’s only drive of the night. The quarterback completed 2 of 2 passes for 26 yards.

After Wilson’s day was over, Fields came in on the second series and was also able to lead the Steelers on a touchdown drive. He completed a five-yard pass to Van Jefferson to bring the offense to third-and-manageable territory before running for a first down. Fields’ most impressive play on that series was a 22-yard dart on the seam to tight end MyCole Pruitt that set up a touchdown run by La’Mical Perine.

However, the second series of the day was not as successful for Fields. Pittsburgh’s offense went three and out, which included some miscommunication between the center and Fields, who missed the third and fourth snaps.

Fields came out for the third series and completed his first two passes on the drive before the offense stalled. The former Bears quarterback was taken down for a nine-yard sack on third and 8, but the pocket collapsed almost immediately, so he didn’t have much of a chance to fight to extend the game. Fields’ day came to an end as Kyle Allen came in to relieve him for Pittsburgh’s fourth series of the day.

Fields completed three of his four passes for 40 yards, while also adding two rushes for four yards. Will this performance be enough to earn him the starting job in the preseason finale? We’ll find out soon.