Could Russell Wilson’s Injury Cost Him Steelers’ Starting QB Job?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson woke up with a calf issue on Thursday morning, and Justin Fields was taking first-team reps as a result ( via Ian Rapoport of NFL media ).

Could this ultimately signal bad news for Wilson moving forward?

The Steelers signed Wilson in the early stages of the offseason and then traded for Fields in April. Wilson entered camp as the top quarterback on the depth chart, but there is no doubt that his starting position is volatile.

So, this was really the last thing Wilson needed at the start of training camp.

That being said, it seems hard to imagine that Fields could displace Wilson that easily.

Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh’s coaching staff will certainly be monitoring Fields to see where he stands, but this is probably Wilson’s job to lose, and a minor injury won’t lose it for him.

Now, if Wilson comes back from the injury and looks horrendous, that could change things, but as of right now, Wilson is still the favorite to start under center come Week 1.

What would it take for Justin Fields to start over Russell Wilson?

Here’s the thing about both of the Steelers’ new quarterbacks: each of them are on one-year deals, so it’s entirely possible that neither signal-caller will be on the roster in 2025.

Wilson is 34 years old and is clearly not the same player he was several years ago, so he probably does not project as a long-term answer for Pittsburgh. Fields, on the other hand, is just 25, and while he struggled over his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears, some do like his potential.

The fact that Fields is a decade younger than Wilson does mean that Wilson’s leash probably won’t be that long. The Steelers are going to want to see what Fields has before deciding what to do with him next offseason. I know that’s a long ways away, but NFL teams do think about the future.

Wilson is making just over $1 million in 2024, so Pittsburgh does not have much of a financial obligation to him this season. Ergo, Tomlin could comfortably sit him if need be.

Fields is going to have to show out in training camp and preseason. It will then take Wilson posting a performance similar to his 2022 campaign with the Denver Broncos for Fields to supplant him.

Remember: Wilson wasn’t bad last year. He threw for 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 15 starts. No, it wasn’t vintage Russ, but it was certainly decent.

The Steelers are trying to make the playoffs this season, so they are primarily focused on who can best get them there. Right now, that guy is Wilson, but his job is hardly set in stone.

But will a calf injury knock Russell Wilson down on the quarterback totem pole? Probably not.

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