NEWS UPDATE: Despite Fields’ trade, Russell Wilson is in “pole position” to start at quarterback for the Steelers.

In the competition to start as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback in 2020–21, Russell Wilson is in the lead. On Monday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stated that although Wilson is regarded as the team’s starter, newly acquired Justin Fields will have an opportunity to play.

“We don’t mind competition, but as I’ve said a few times recently, I just think it’s right to have a position. and I’ve mentioned that Russell is in pole position,” Tomlin stated. And why do I employ that phrase? I just think it’s advantageous during this period while we are not formally working. His method has been refined and developed thanks to his experience in the National Football League.

Speaking about more than a full year, it benefits not just him but also teams, running backs, tight ends, and receivers. Russell provides the tools and organization needed for all the things that individuals who are truly devoted to winning undertake at this time of year. That’s the reason I believe he is in pole position. It just produces a synergy that is, in my opinion, appropriate for this season. When the time comes to participate, Justin will undoubtedly be given the chance to impress everyone when we enter environments like to training camps and visit venues, among other places.

Following Wilson’s release by Denver, the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback signed a $1.2 million veteran’s minimum contract with the Steelers, who redesigned their quarterback room earlier this month.

Following Wilson’s arrival, Kenny Pickett, the team’s 2022 first-round selection, requested a trade, according to Tomlin. Pittsburgh traded Fields, a 2021 first-round pick, to Chicago for a conditional 2025 sixth-round selection, then sent him to Philadelphia.

The Steelers also allowed Mitch Trubisky of the Bills and Mason Rudolph of the Titans to depart in free agency.

After being acquired by the Broncos in a trade with Seattle, Wilson, 35, had an 11-19 record in his first two seasons there. after his remarkable comeback from a terrible 2022 season, he lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after throwing for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions in coach Sean Payton’s first season.

Wilson spent ten seasons as the Seahawks’ quarterback, leading the team to eight postseason trips and a Super Bowl victory.

“We only had one quarterback on our roster when the free agency process started, so we were looking at every available person on the market,” Tomlin stated. It was only a step in our procedure. The talks were obviously quite easy and natural once we got into it and when Wilson was given license to speak. He conducted the necessary research on us, and in my opinion, that’s one of the more amazing aspects of the procedure. His degree of readiness in terms of getting to know us, our personalities, and possible fits for us just made the process much more comfortable for us.

Although Fields was 10-28 with Chicago’s losing squads, he displayed glimpses of his explosive playmaking ability. During his tenure with the Bears, he completed 60% of his throws and threw for 40 touchdowns against 30 interceptions. Along with 2,220 yards and 14 TDs, he rushed.

Tomlin remarked, “He exudes talent and potential.” “Despite carrying the weight of being a franchise quarterback, he still gets to enter a setting akin to a community and pick the brains of someone who has been doing this for more than ten years. I’m really happy that there’s still a lot of meat on that bone, man.