Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has finally acknowledged that he faces a quarterback decision for Week 7, with Russell Wilson now fully healthy and available. It appears Justin Fields may have played his last game as the starting quarterback, despite the team’s 4-2 record.
Following a frustrating Tuesday for the Steelers community on October 15, Fields took to Instagram, though he didn’t directly address the potential QB change reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero earlier that day. Fields kept his message positive, writing: “God is good. Great team dub,” along with photos from the Week 6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fields’ post quickly caught the attention of fans on social media. One user commented “QB1,” while another said, “You’re my QB1 regardless.” A third added, “Steeler Nation wants you as QB1! You deserve it.” Another fan even questioned why Pittsburgh was considering benching Fields, asking, “Why [are they] sitting [Fields]?”
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: QB Decision Isn’t About What Justin Fields ‘Has Done or Has Not Done’
In a press conference on October 15, Tomlin addressed Fields’ role as the starter and made it clear that if Wilson were to take over, it wouldn’t necessarily reflect poorly on Fields’ performance.
“Sometimes, the decision doesn’t have anything to do with what Justin [Fields] has done or hasn’t done,” Tomlin explained. “Justin has been an asset to us.”
He cited Fields’ mobility in last week’s game, where he rushed for over 50 yards and two touchdowns. “We’re grateful for how he’s handled the ball and utilized his legs, both by design and improvisation,” Tomlin added. However, Tomlin emphasized that they are evaluating all options, just as they do with any position.
In essence, while Fields has been effective, Tomlin wants to see if Wilson can elevate the offense further.
“Justin [Fields] has been really good, but we’ve been good—not great,” Tomlin said earlier. “This is a competitive league, and we’re striving to be a great team. We have a talented player [in Wilson] who hasn’t had a chance to play yet, and we’re considering exploring that.”
Tomlin noted that the Steelers would assess the quarterback situation during practice and come to a decision closer to their Week 7 Sunday Night Football game against the New York Jets.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: Justin Fields Is the More Mobile Quarterback
One factor in the decision may be the Steelers’ struggling offensive line, which has been hit by injuries. Some are concerned that Wilson’s lack of mobility compared to Fields could be an issue behind such an inconsistent unit. While Tomlin didn’t express major concerns about the O-line affecting quarterback play, he did acknowledge that Fields is the more mobile option.
“No, he does not,” Tomlin said when asked if Wilson had the same mobility as Fields, calling Fields’ legs an “X factor.”
The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo also commented on this issue, noting on X: “Russell Wilson led the NFL in sacks taken twice over the last five seasons. That’s a big risk in playing him over Fields, especially since Russ is coming off a calf injury. The Jets have 20 sacks this year, third most in the league, with a pressure rate of 39.8%, the fifth highest.”
Though Tomlin may not openly admit it, the state of the offensive line could influence the final decision. If the line struggles in practice this week, Fields may get another chance to start on Sunday.
