ESPN’s Brooke Pryor is the latest insider to suggest that veteran Russell Wilson will enter Pittsburgh Steelers training camp above Justin Fields on the quarterback depth chart.
“Sources have indicated to ESPN that Wilson has been tabbed the starter, but plans can change,” Pryor explained in an article published on Friday. “Though Wilson said he felt like himself again during his second season [with the Denver Broncos], and his improved numbers reflect that, he’s still an aging quarterback competing against a young gun with tremendous upside.”
ESPN stats show that Wilson, who turns 36 in November, ended this past regular season ranked 21st among eligible athletes with an adjusted QBR of 50.7. During the course of 15 games, he passed for 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In contrast, Fields finished his last season with the Chicago Bears in 23rd place with an adjusted QBR of 46.1. Over 13 games, the 25-year-old recorded 2,562 passing yards, nine interceptions, and 16 touchdown passes.
Most pundits believe that Mike Tomlin, the head coach of Pittsburgh, will, at minimum, allow Fields to challenge Wilson for the starting position from training camp until possibly the last preseason game. An unidentified NFL executive believes that if Fields signs the contract by the end of August, the Steelers may cut Wilson before Week 1.
“That competition — even if informal — will be something to monitor throughout the offseason,” Pryor added about the Wilson-Fields situation. “The Steelers also have to add a center to the mix after releasing starter Mason Cole and missing out on the top free agents. Look for the team to address that position — along with offensive tackle — in the NFL draft.”
That last part is interesting, as the Steelers may prefer to have a veteran in the lineup for the early days of the season if a young center is playing at that time. Then again, Fields could build chemistry with a first-year pro during workouts and then prove to Tomlin during exhibition contests that he and not Wilson gives the Steelers the best chance to win meaningful games.
Either way, Wilson will need to be ready to compete with Fields right out of the gate regardless of what Tomlin or anybody else within the Steelers says about the matter over the next few months.
