Steelers HC Mike Tomlin shares how Justin Fields can win QB1 job

The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season in Week 4 to the Indianapolis Colts (2-2), but don't expect there to be a change at quarterback.

On Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters he is preparing to start quarterback Justin Fields again for the Steelers Week 5 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) on "Sunday Night Football."

It's not surprising that Fields will likely receive his fifth straight start of the year because quarterback Russell Wilson is working his way back from his calf injury . However, many are beginning to question whether Fields has already done enough to be named the full-time QB1.

Through the season's first four games , Fields has thrown for 830 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 145 yards and another three scores.

The 2021 No. 11 overall pick is playing the best football of his career, but Tomlin notes it will take more than good stats to win the QB1 job.

"Play well. Win. That's our business," Tomlin said when asked what it would take for Fields to win the starting job.

Fields has done both of those things, but Tomlin seems to want a bigger sample size, and rightfully so.

Still, there's reason to believe that Wilson will never start a game for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have stuck with the "hot hand" in the past. Last season, they did so with quarterback Mason Rudolph despite quarterback Kenny Pickett returning from an injury.

This year, a similar scenario could play out if Fields continues stacking wins and sound performances.

In the meantime, Tomlin said the team will follow the same procedure they have for the past few weeks with Fields and Wilson, adding that Wilson is expected to work from a live pocket this week.

Wilson seems unlikely to get healthy enough this week to force Tomlin's hand at a decision. So Fields will have at least one more week to make his case for the full-time starting job, which seems to be up for grabs.

"There's a potential for that," Tomlin stated. "But we're not there as we stand here today."