Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers officially announce Week 1 starting QB

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Aug 28, 2024 2:19 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially named their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2024 season, and the news was not surprising.

On Wednesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced that Russell Wilson had won the quarterback competition, beating Justin Fields.

“I met with both quarterbacks here just a few minutes ago, after practice, and I informed them that Russ is QB1 going into Week 1,” Tomlin said. “It was a difficult decision, but not difficult in a negative way, to be quite honest with you. It was difficult in a positive way. The decision was difficult because of what they’re capable of doing. The decision was difficult because of how they’ve conducted themselves, as opposed to the things that they fall short in, in terms of capabilities or negative conduct.”

Mike Tomlin explains his decision to officially name Russell Wilson QB 1 pic.twitter.com/nud25VZGSj

— Jenna Harner (@JennaHarner11) August 28, 2024

Tomlin said that Wilson was in the “pole position” to be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, and nothing indicated the plan had changed. The way Wilson and Fields were used in the Steelers’ preseason finale on Saturday made it even more apparent that Wilson had won the job.

The Steelers had many offensive issues during the preseason, and Tomlin did not seem thrilled with either of his quarterbacks. There was talk earlier in the offseason that Fields could have a role in the team’s offense even if he does not start at quarterback, so that remains a possibility.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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