Steelers name Russell Wilson starting QB in long-awaited decision

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this offseason that Russell Wilson was in the "pole position" to be the team’s starting quarterback. Tomlin declared Wednesday that Wilson had officially won the race.

Tomlin named Wilson the Steelers’ starting quarterback, the team announced. The Steelers are set to become the third different team Wilson has started for in his career.

Pittsburgh signed Wilson to a one-year contract in March. Wilson was in a quarterback competition with Justin Fields, whom the team acquired from the Chicago Bears in March. Wilson dealt with a calf injury for most of the Steelers’ training camp, which left the door open for Fields to make a push for the starting spot.

When Wilson returned, both he and Fields had up-and-down performances in training camp and the preseason. Tomlin ultimately decided to go with the 35-year-old veteran.

“We all just try to be our best every day. Every day I step in the building, I try to bring my energy, bring focus, detail and experience of it all, too.” Wilson said to reporters Wednesday. “When you step in between the white lines, you do everything you can to be the best version of you.”

Wilson spent his first 10 seasons as the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback. He owns most of the franchise’s major passing records and helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl 48.

The Seahawks traded Wilson to the Denver Broncos in 2022. Wilson had two disappointing seasons in Denver, compiling a 11-19 overall record before being cut and leaving the team with a record $85 million dead cap hit.

Wilson has registered 43,653 passing yards, 334 touchdowns and 106 interceptions in 188 career regular-season games with a career passer rating of 100.

Why did Steelers pick Russell Wilson to start over Justin Fields?

Wilson provides a veteran presence and leadership to a Steelers squad that hasn’t had a quality starting QB since Ben Roethlisberger. Wilson struggled in Sean Payton’s offense in Denver last season, but he does take care of the football and has been praised by new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for his handle on Pittsburgh's system.

“Arthur (Smith) has been great. His knowledge of the game, how we want to run the ball and play action and how we want to get the ball out quick,” Wilson said. “I just think he’s got a tremendous mind. I’m really looking forward to this season.”

The Steelers open up the on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 2, Wilson will travel to Denver to face his former team.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers name Russell Wilson starting QB in long-awaited decision