The season of the Pittsburgh Steelers includes a role conflict that continues to provide chapters to be written. It is the choice of the starting quarterback, where Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are the contenders for the job. The final decision rests with head coach Mike Tomlin, who clarified the situation heading into the NFL Week 7 game against the New York Jets.
Tomlin has already reacted to the arrival of Davante Adams to the Jets, so this will be a game with added spice because it’s about the wide receiver who came close to joining the Steelers. The main storyline, however, will be Wilson’s chances to fill the starting quarterback role.
“Russ (Wilson) proved his health last week and we’re looking hard at it this week. It is up for consideration. There is a scenario where we could see both quarterbacks play on Sunday night,” Tomlin clarified about Wilson as a possible starter.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Steelers will give Wilson first-team reps in practice this week, which would put him in position to make his season debut and start Sunday night. Wilson’s calf is fully healed and he will now get his chance to take the field against the Jets.
Wilson was supposed to be the starting quarterback this season, but the injury sidelined him six weeks into the season. Fields, for whom the Steelers have a 4-2 record, has played in his place. The former Denver Broncos player has completed 106 passes in 160 attempts for 1106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
Steelers to wear special jerseys vs Jets
With either Wilson or Fields as the starting quarterback, the Steelers will wear a special jersey when they face the Jets next Sunday. The retro apparel is intended to honor the 50th anniversary of Super Bowl IX.
The jerseys feature special numbers and lettering on the traditional black jersey, mimicking the apparel worn by the team in the 1970s. The 1974 season produced the first of the decade’s championships for the Steelers.