Steelers' Mike Tomlin shares major QB update ahead of potential Week 2 revenge game

Week 2 will host what many believe could be one of the best revenge games of the 2024 season.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson can prove his former team wrong for moving on from him this offseason. The Denver Broncos are paying Wilson $37.79 million not to play for them this season.

However, Wilson missed Pittsburgh's Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons after reaggravating his calf injury, and head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't seem too confident he'll be ready for Week 2, either.

"I just visited with [Wilson]. He feels better [Tuesday] than he did over the weekend. What that means, I don't know as we sit here today," Tomlin said. "As I sit here today, we're preparing as if Justin [Fields] is going to be our quarterback. I think that's the appropriate way to do it. Speculation is a waste of time. Russell's hurt. He's not available to us."

Fields did enough on Sunday to allow the Steelers not to rush Wilson back before he's fully healthy. In the 18-10 win, he completed 17-of-23 passes for 156 yards and ran for 57 yards.

The 25-year-old will have to play better if he hopes to fend off Wilson from ever returning as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback, but Tomlin likes what he's seen thus far.

"I thought he settled in as the game went on. I thought he had clear eyes in weighty moments. I thought he was a good communicator in some of those moments where we had some discussions," Tomlin added. "We're excited about maybe going through a complete week with him in terms of the preparation process."

Just because the Steelers are preparing as if Fields will be their starter this week doesn't mean he will be.

Tomlin is keeping the door open for Wilson to return, given his previous 12 years of NFL experience.

"Young players have to practice on Friday," Tomlin stated. "The older you are, the less significant that is. I treat everybody fair. I don't treat everybody the same."

So there is still a chance that Pittsburgh's Week 2 slate will be the much-anticipated revenge game many are hoping for, but it's safe to say that's the last thing on Tomlin's mind.

"Over the course of the week, we'll be analyzing whether he's capable of protecting himself, whether he's capable of being productive," Tomlin concluded. "I'm not into the hypotheticals. As I mentioned, right now he's not healthy, so my time and attention is focusing on the readiness of Justin."