Pittsburgh Steelers make U-turn on Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as trade hint dropped

Justin Fields was told that he would be the backup quarterback heading into the 2024 season after joining the Pittsburgh Steelers - but he now looks to be in direct competition with Russell Wilson , who is currently missing time through an injury.

After the Steelers acquired both Wilson and Fields back in March, Pittsburgh moved quickly to name the former as the starter. Wilson, a former Super Bowl winner with the Seattle Seahawks had consistently ranked as one of the top five quarterbacks in the league, before having two brutal seasons with the Denver Broncos and finding himself cut.

The Steelers gave Wilson a chance to put his career back on the right path, before intriguingly trading for Fields just days later. But they told the former that he'd be the starter with Fields as the backup .

READ MORE: Former Alabama football player dies after accident traveling to join new team

READ MORE: Inside New York Jets training camp as Aaron Rodgers-Garrett Wilson connection blossoms

However, after Wilson suffered an injury in practice two weeks ago, Fields has been given an opportunity to lead the first-team offense, and appears to have impressed head coach Mike Tomlin. In a recent press conference, Tomlin appeared to perform something of a U-turn as told reporters of their starting quarterback: "It is still very much a competition. What happens in the stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in practice because it's more game-like."

He appeared to be suggesting that both Wilson and Fields will play for the Steelers in preseason and have the opportunity to compete and earn the starting spot heading into week one of the regular season. Two very different quarterbacks, Wilson is in the latter stages of what has been a tremendous career, but has struggled in recent years after losing some of his athleticism that helped him succeed as an elusive quarterback with elite ability to throw the ball downfield.

Follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories.

Fields, meanwhile, has been heavily reliant on his running ability since entering the league - with 2,220 rushing yards on 356 attempts with an impressive 6.2 yards per carry, while throwing 40 touchdowns to 30 interceptions, at an average of just one throwing touchdown per game.

Whoever is to start at quarterback could be hugely boosted by the Steelers next move though, with the team believed to be deep in trade discussions with the San Francisco 49ers for wantaway star Brandon Aiyuk. Numerous reports have suggested a trade between the teams might be close, with Tomlin hinting the same.

When asked on if they'll be adding a wide receiver in the coming days, Tomlin smiled and said: "I'll let you guys speculate on that."