The stage is set, and the excitement is palpable as Russell Wilson and Justin Fields get ready for their final dress rehearsal this Saturday in Detroit. Both quarterbacks are vying for the prestigious role of starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Coach Mike Tomlin initially hinted at Wilson being in the “pole position” heading into training camp. However, a nagging calf injury for Wilson opened the floodgates, allowing Fields to seize the moment and take the majority of first-team snaps.
Last week’s game against the Bills saw each quarterback leading five offensive series, pushing their talents to the forefront. But Tomlin isn’t satisfied just yet. He wants to see both competitors shine on the field this week, before setting the hierarchy ahead of the much-anticipated Week 1 showdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
“I think it’s a test, man,” Tomlin said. “I want to see the fruits of the labor that I’ve seen here on the field. We’ve had some great days of practice showing remarkable consistency, fundamentals, and the ability to make spectacular plays, but I haven’t seen it in the arena yet.” Tomlin added, “In a perfect world, I’d like to see it in the arena before providing representation to other guys competing for jobs.”
Tomlin praised Fields, noting the quarterback’s “really high level with some spectacular plays” during practice sessions. If Fields can translate these traits to the game this week, Tomlin’s decision could become even more challenging than anticipated.
“I want to see him showcase some of the things we’ve seen here in practice,” Tomlin emphasized about Fields.
Fields had the advantage of operating with the starters for two weeks in the preseason, before Wilson returned to share reps with the first team. “I think I’ve shown what I can do,” Fields expressed confidently. “The time with the first team on the training ground has been good… But ultimately it’s not up to me.”
As Saturday approaches, all eyes will be fixed on Motor City, where Wilson and Fields will leave it all on the field in a bid to prove their mettle. The atmosphere around this quarterback battle is electric, promising a spectacle for NFL football fans everywhere.
