Russell Wilson handed Pittsburgh Steelers lifeline as Justin Fields stance emerges

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin breathed new life into quarterback Russell Wilson's fading Pittsburgh career by refusing to name a long-term QB1.

Wilson was originally given the upper hand to start for the Silver & Gold after signing a one-year deal with the team this offseason. However, a nagging hamstring injury has sidelined the 35-year-old all season.

Backup Justin Fields has stepped in and led the team to a 3-0 record, turning the ball over just once. Tomlin has praised Fields' play but emphasized the lack of urgency to crown him as the permanent start. "I've learned to make [decisions] when it's appropriate and it's not necessary as we sit here right now," the head coach told reporters on Wednesday.

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"When Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I'll make it and I'll announce it and I'll be really transparent about it. Until then, I don't care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making the decision that's unnecessary at this juncture."

Tomlin was still full of adulation for his current starter's play: "Justin has played well, and that's exciting for him and for us, but I'm not surprised by that. And I hadn't looked at it in terms of the decision-making because it's not time yet."

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has coaxed the most refined version of Fields. The 2021 first-round pick hardly resembles the erratic but explosive player he was in Chicago.

Fields has completed 73.3 percent of his passes for 518 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 90 rushing yards. He's turned the ball over just once and has the Steelers sitting 3-0. Meanwhile, Fields completed 60.3 percent of his passes for the Chicago Bears from 2021-2023.

In 2022, he proved his unpredictability by rushing for 1,143 yards while leading the league in fumbles. The real reason the Steelers are 3-0 has been the strong play of the team's defense: TJ Watt and company's -26.2 percent DVOA is the fourth-best margin in the NFL.

Wilson has been healthy enough to serve as the team's emergency quarterback each of the first three weeks and was a limited participant in practice this week. Tomlin refused to comment on who will be the starter once both are healthy.

"We'll know when we get there. [Wilson must] not only be healthy in terms of keeping himself safe, but he'll be healthy in terms of being able to be productive and do the things that he needs to do and we need him to do."

Pittsburgh will travel to Indianapolis on Sunday and face the 1-2 Colts with Fields under center for a fourth straight week.

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