The Pittsburgh Steelers revealed new jersey numbers for the team’s additions to the roster on Thursday. The unveiling includes a new number for former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Fields, who previously wore No. 1 in Chicago, will wear No. 2 in Pittsburgh.
The team also announced quarterback Russell Wilson will wear No. 3, which is the same number he wore while with the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. Third-string quarterback Kyle Allen will sport the No. 4 jersey.
Other new jersey numbers are No. 5 Cameron Johnston, No. 6 Patrick Queen , No. 11 Van Jefferson, No. 16 Quez Watkins, No. 25 Deshon Elliott, No. 26 Donte Jackson, No. 84 Cordarrelle Patterson and No. 94 Dean Lowery. Not all the new additions have had to change their numbers after signing with the Steelers. Patrick Queen, for example, played all four years of his rookie deal in the No. 6 for Baltimore.
Mike Tomlin clears the air on Steelers QB competition
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said last month that Russell Wilson has the “pole position” ahead of Justin Fields on the team’s quarterback pecking order after the team executed the blockbuster trade.
“We’ve been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start,” Tomlin said at the NFL Owners Meetings at the Grande Lakes Orlando Resort, via Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now. “I think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He’s got a proven process of readiness. He’s been in this league a long time, and he’s capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends and running backs. Got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes over the course of a 12-month calendar. I just think that’s something that a younger guy like Justin can learn from, and it provides clarity for all parties involved as they do some of the informal things at this time of year. You know, whether it’s coming together to work out in destinations and things of that nature.”
“Rest assured, when it’s time to compete, Justin will be given an opportunity to compete, and we’ll allow those guys to sort themselves out,” Tomlin continued. “But I thought it was appropriate to describe it in a way for when we get started. Russell’s in pole position, and I think his body of work justifies that. And just from my conversations with Justin, he’s excited about working alongside Russell and learning some of those veteran tricks of the trade from behind a guy who has been around for over a decade.”
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