Insider discusses if Steelers 'are resistant to' changing Russell Wilson, Justin Fields plan

ESPN's Brooke Pryor was among those who mentioned on Friday that the Pittsburgh Steelers are "likely" to start Justin Fields at quarterback for this Sunday's game at the 0-1 Denver Broncos as veteran Russell Wilson continues to recover from a lingering calf injury that kept him sidelined last weekend. 

During the latest edition of The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast, Steelers beat writer Mike DeFabo addressed whether Fields can do enough against Denver to remain atop the depth chart assuming that Wilson is cleared to play in Pittsburgh's Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 22. 

"To be determined," DeFabo said. "It depends on how well [Fields] plays to this point. If, this week, Wilson was healthy, I strongly believe Wilson would be your starting quarterback. But here’s another opportunity that Fields can go and change that dynamic. And I don’t think that the Steelers are resistant to change."

Neither Wilson nor Fields is signed beyond the ongoing season, so one would think that head coach Mike Tomlin would be open to the 25-year-old earning the full-time job this month via his play. However, it was reported earlier this week that "the belief is that Wilson will get the job once he returns from his calf injury" because Tomlin and his staff think "Wilson's command of the offense is stronger." 

"I think they’re open to Fields coming in here, changing their mind. But I also believe Fields has not yet done that," DeFabo added. 

DeFabo was referring to the fact that Fields completed 17-of-23 passes for just 156 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Pittsburgh's 18-10 win at the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday that featured Chris Boswell kicking six field goals. 

Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper pointed out on Friday that the Steelers "were risk-averse against the Falcons" and had Fields attempt zero passes over the middle against Atlanta's secondary. How much offensive coordinator Arthur Smith opens things up for Fields, if at all, versus Denver could say plenty about how much the team trusts the 2021 first-round draft pick to run what was supposed to be Wilson's offense. 

Then again, there's no guarantee Wilson will be ready to play against the Chargers regardless of what happens at Empower Field at Mile High this Sunday.