Mike Tomlin reveals how Steelers will split reps between Russell Wilson, Justin Fields

Pittsburgh is playing host to arguably the most exciting training-camp battle this summer: Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields.

On Wednesday, head coach Mike Tomlin revealed Wilson still has the "pole position" to be the Steelers' starting quarterback, but that Fields will earn some valuable reps as well.

How will Tomlin determine how many reps each player will get?

"Very carefully," Tomlin said, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "You think I'm actually going to back myself into a corner so you guys are gonna ask me daily about the rep allocations? No way. I've been on the job too long for that."

Tomlin is smart to do so as he is no stranger to a quarterback competition. Over the past couple of years, Pittsburgh has had a revolving carousel with quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.

With none no longer on the team, the Steelers' focus has now shifted to Wilson and Fields.

It makes sense that the 35-year-old Wilson has the early nod to be the starter. He has played at a high level for much of his 12-year NFL career, throwing for 43,653 yards and 334 touchdowns, and has a championship pedigree after leading the Seahawks to a win in Super Bowl XLVIII.

The biggest knock on Wilson is his age and if he's still the same player he used to be before his underwhelming two-year stint with the Broncos in which he went 11-19 as a starter.

Tomlin's early confidence in Wilson is thanks to his work ethic.

"There's a lot of interesting things about him in terms of his appetite for work that's really attractive," Tomlin added.

Fields, on the other hand, still has much to prove since entering the league as the No. 11 overall pick in 2021. The 25-year-old has flashed his upside, throwing for 4,804 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushing for 1,800 yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons, but he must continue to minimize his negative plays.

Who will be Pittsburgh's Week 1 starter remains up for debate, but the team will have a different opening-week starter for the fourth straight year. The Steelers need to get this one right.