Former HC praises Steelers' Mike Tomlin for handling of QB situation

As of Thursday morning, head coach Mike Tomlin hadn't publicly guaranteed that Justin Fields will remain the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback when veteran Russell Wilson is cleared to return to action from the calf injury that sidelined him across the season's first four weeks. 

During a recent appearance on "Pro Football Talk," former Dallas Cowboys head coach and current NBC NFL analyst Jason Garrett praised Tomlin for keeping his team together in what could have become a delicate situation. 

"I think he's handled it beautifully," Garrett said about Tomlin, as Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot shared. "They had an issue at quarterback. ...Addressed it two ways, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, have them come in [and] compete. Russell's the incumbent and then he has the calf injury. He is not able to go. Justin Fields is the quarterback, and they're behind him 1,000 percent, creating an environment for him to be successful." 

As Garrett alluded, Wilson was named Pittsburgh's Week 1 QB1 and a team captain before he reaggravated a calf issue that first popped up early into training camp. Fields subsequently guided the Steelers to a 3-1 record, and he became the first player in franchise history to record 300+ passing yards, 50+ rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in a single game during this past Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

According to Pro Football Reference, Fields began Thursday ranked seventh in the NFL among qualified players with a 70.6% completion percentage and 12th with a 98.0 passer rating this season. Meanwhile, the StatMuse website shows he's 13th in the league with 975 passing and rushing yards combined. Fields is responsible for six touchdowns (three passing, three rushing) and a single interception on the campaign. 

Multiple reporters and analysts have suggested Fields can cement himself as Pittsburgh's full-time QB1 by producing a second-straight stellar performance during the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" home game versus the 2-2 Cowboys. Tomlin has neither confirmed nor denied that's the case. 

"I think what he said publicly throughout about both quarterbacks...is an indicator of what kind of coach he's been for a long, long time, creating that environment," Garrett added about Tomlin. 

That environment involves Tomlin giving the Steelers 17 consecutive non-losing seasons leading up to the ongoing campaign. It remains to be seen if Fields or Wilson will be tasked with keeping that streak alive following Sunday's prime-time matchup.