Steelers' Mike Tomlin explains handling of Justin Fields, Russell Wilson situation

Quarterback Justin Fields guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to three straight victories to open the season and seemingly has done enough to remain the club's starter even after veteran Russell Wilson is cleared to return from the lingering calf injury that kept him sidelined over the campaign's first three weeks.

However, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin declined while speaking with reporters on Tuesday to confirm Fields is his full-time QB1 moving forward.

"Because there's no need," Tomlin responded when asked why he won't name a starting quarterback, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "...There's no need to. Sometimes in this business, man, there's a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made. I've learned to make them when it's appropriate, and it's not necessary as we sit here right now."

As recently as last week, ESPN's Dan Graziano indicated that Tomlin wanted to keep the door at least slightly open for Wilson to reclaim the starting job whenever the 35-year-old is healthy enough to play against a live defense in a meaningful game. That was before Fields helped Pittsburgh earn a 20-10 home victory over the Los Angeles Chargers (2-1) this past Sunday.

While Fields will end Tuesday on track to start this coming Sunday's game at the 1-2 Indianapolis Colts, it's possible that Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith still feel Wilson could get more out of the offense once the one-time Super Bowl champion is fully fit.

According to ESPN stats, Fields enters Week 4 ranked 21st in the NFL among qualified players with a 47.4 adjusted QBR on the season. Meanwhile, the Steelers are 24th in the league , with an average of 17.0 points scored per contest.

"When Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make," Tomlin continued on Tuesday, "I'll make it, and I'll announce it and I'll be really transparent about it. But 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."

As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Steelers as two-point favorites over the Colts. It sounds like Tomlin could turn to Wilson for the Week 5 prime-time home game against the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) if Fields produces a stinker at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium on the final Sunday of September.