Steelers beat reporter breaks down starting QB competition

Pittsburgh Steelers beat reporter Brooke Pryor of ESPN isn't yet among those who believe that head coach Mike Tomlin has already decided to start veteran Russell Wilson at quarterback over Justin Fields for Week 1 of the 2024 season. 

"I think that there is a competition," Pryor said about the situation during a Tuesday appearance on the "Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show," as shared by Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. "I don't know how realistic it is that that means that Justin Fields will start Week 1. I think that Mike Tomlin's been very intentional in saying the phrase 'pole position' every time he talks about the quarterback depth chart." 

Wilson signed a team-friendly deal to join the Steelers in March shortly before the club acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick. Pittsburgh later declined the fifth-year option attached to Fields' rookie contract, meaning the team could move on from both signal-callers as soon as next offseason. 

Some think that Wilson could guide the 2024 Steelers to the playoffs largely because offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will want to rely heavily on running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. Pryor seemed skeptical and said on Tuesday she thinks there's a "50/50" chance that Fields will replace Wilson as Pittsburgh's QB1 at some point before Week 18. 

"That's because when you look at the contract situations for both of those guys, they're not under contract beyond this season," Pryor explained. "So at some point, the Steelers have to evaluate Justin Fields to figure out, 'Hey, we didn't pick up his fifth-year option because we're not gonna spend $25M on a guy that we haven't seen with our own eyes in our system.'" 

As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Wilson fifth among the betting favorites at +1200 odds to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the upcoming season. Tomlin and Co. likely hope Wilson remains a legitimate CPOTY candidate through January even though such a scenario would mean the coaching staff not getting a long look at Fields in meaningful game action.