NFL insider shares if Steelers want Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to start

Dianna Russini of The Athletic is among the noteworthy NFL insiders who believe that before Pittsburgh Steelers veteran players report for training camp, head coach Mike Tomlin wants to start Russell Wilson at quarterback over Justin Fields this September.

"Let's just make it clear," Russini explained during the debut episode of the "Scoop City" podcast, as shared by Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "Russell Wilson is the starter. It's going to be a competitive training camp. Justin Fields is there for a reason, but they want Russell Wilson, the veteran, the guy who knows how to do it, to be the starter coming out of Week 1."

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggested last week that the alleged competition for the Pittsburgh starting job between Wilson and Fields essentially exists in name only. 

It was previously said that Wilson ended springtime workouts as the "undisputed leader" of the team's offense even though neither he nor Fields is signed beyond the upcoming season.

Wilson made it known before Pittsburgh's summer break he's in favor of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith creating special packages for Fields, and at least one analyst thinks Pittsburgh could successfully utilize dual-quarterback packages this coming fall. 

According to Russini, fans should expect to see Fields receive touches in meaningful games as soon as the regular-season opener at the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.

"We'll start with the idea of Justin Fields having some packages for him in this offense," Russini added during the show segment. "100 percent that is the plan. They've already worked on it. It's in the playbook. So you're going to see that in an Arthur Smith offense, and defensive coordinators around the league are all prepared for that. That is not news to them at all."

As of late Tuesday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook listed Wilson as a massive -1000 betting favorite to start over Fields (+560 betting odds) against Atlanta. 

Wilson could lose the gig if he suffers an injury before Week 1 or performs horribly during training-camp practices and a couple of preseason appearances, but it sounds like he's penciled in atop the depth chart as of the midway point of July.