Russell Wilson gets starting nod over Justin Fields for Steelers’ primetime matchup with Jets: reports

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten off to a 4-2 start, but the coaching staff appears to be leaning toward making a major change.

On Saturday, multiple reports surfaced stating the Steelers were set to hand over the starting quarterback duties to veteran signal caller Russell Wilson for the team’s Week 7 game against the New York Jets.

Fourth year quarterback Justin Fields started in the first six games of the season. On Tuesday, reports from the NFL Network indicated that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was still weighing the decision. Wilson reportedly took practice reps with the Steelers’ first-team offense.

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Russell Wilson on bench

Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on the sideline during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Wilson was the presumptive starter coming out of training camp, but he was inactive for the Steelers season opener against the Atlanta Falcons due to a calf injury.

Fields helped the Steelers win their first three games of the year. But, Pittsburgh then suffered back-to-back defeats before a dominating win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.

STEELERS LEGEND ‘WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT’ REPLACING JUSTIN FIELDS WITH RUSSELL WILSON

While Fields has had some success this season, he admitted that his overall performance has not solidified him as the starter going forward.

Fields and Wilson

Russell Wilson #3 looks on alongside Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

“I don’t think I played good enough if I’m being real with you,” Fields told reporters earlier this week. “If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough I don’t think there would be any sort of ‘who should be playing, who should not?'”

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that while Wilson is expected to get the starting nod this weekend and “play the bulk of snaps,” Fields will still likely see some playing time as “both QBs” could see action.

Russell Wilson throws

Oct 13, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

Fields has thrown five touchdowns against one interception through six games. He has also rushed for 231 yards. But, the Steelers’ offensive unit as a whole has been rather pedestrian, ranking 26th in total offense.

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Wilson enters Sunday’s game with a 3-1 career record as a starter against the Jets. Sunday’s showdown will also mark the eighth time Wilson and Aaron Rodgers have met in an NFL game.

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