Amidst the buzz and excitement leading up to the start of the NFL season, one lingering question remains for the Pittsburgh Steelers – who will be their starting quarterback in Week 1?
Head coach Mike Tomlin has kept the decision under wraps, leaving fans and analysts alike speculating over who will lead the team on the field. But in the mind of young quarterback Justin Fields, he believes he has demonstrated to the Steelers coaching staff that he is more than capable of handling the starting job.
While Tomlin has yet to make an official announcement, it was rumored that Russell Wilson, the seasoned veteran, was the front runner for the position heading into training camp. However, when Wilson suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for two weeks, it provided an opportunity for Fields to prove his worth.
Since then, both Wilson and Fields have been sharing first-team reps in practice, with Wilson starting the second preseason game against the Bills and set to start against the Lions this Saturday. Fields is also expected to see playing time, but when asked about the ongoing quarterback battle, the young quarterback remained focused on his own performance.
“I try to not think about stuff that I can’t control,” Fields said regarding competing with Wilson. “I try to just think about the stuff that I can control, so I can’t control whether or not I’m going to be named the starter. I can control how I come in every day, how I work every day and how I treat my teammates and every day.”
As the Steelers head into the final weeks of preseason, all eyes will be on Tomlin as he makes the crucial decision of who will take the reins as the starting quarterback in Week 1. Will it be the experienced Wilson or the promising young talent in Fields? Only time will tell.
