Is Russell Wilson Cooked? Pittsburgh Steelers Set to Find Out

The modifier “expected starter” or some variation thereof appeared before Russell Wilson’s name in many reports of his offseason signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even with the team trading for Justin Fields in step with acquiring Wilson, the notion that Wilson’s experience would steer him to the Steelers’ starting quarterback job seemingly prevailed.

That Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin made things official on Wednesday shouldn’t be a surprise. But Tomlin also didn’t keep secrets about Wilson’s apparent short leash when he appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” that same day.

Speaking to the host while indirectly addressing the coach of the Atlanta Falcons, who Pittsburgh visits in Week 1, Tomlin said: “My friend Raheem Morris better be ready for a Justin Fields package. There’s too much talent to be standing around watching.”

Just not enough to take the reins from the get-go, even with a solid but not spectacular preseason.

Wilson, 35, and Fields, 25, both are on one-year deals as Pittsburgh pivots from the Kenny Pickett Era. Wilson, hobbled for much of preseason with a calf injury, owns a Super Bowl ring plus another deflating, runner-up finish. Fields has terrific mobility and a first-round pedigree that foundered amid coaching and personnel uncertainty during his three seasons in Chicago.

Joining a franchise that’s only employed three head coaches since 1969 suggested Fields could rest easy about who may or may not be guiding him. Tomlin isn’t on a proverbial “hot seat,” nor should he be after helping Pittsburgh to 10 victories last season despite inconsistency under center.

The Steelers allowed the sixth-fewest points in the NFL while running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren capably gained yardage and consumed clock in a run-oriented attack.

A familiar formula looms in 2024, with the Steelers simply hoping even the slightest QB upgrade could boost their fortunes in the AFC North.

Again, they’re banking on Wilson to channel the Super Bowl XLVIII champion more than the version who went 11-19 in Denver over two seasons and left the Broncos with a record dead-cap hit.

“The moments can’t be too big for a guy that’s been at it as long as he has and has seen the things that he’s seen,” Tomlin told Eisen. “He’s had that confetti rain down on him. It’s not speculation; it’s not dreaming for him; he’s lived it.

“And I think that when you experience things this game—be it a player or a coach, or quarterback, or head coach—I just think there’s benefit in having lived and seen it.”

Even before Tomlin’s testimony, fans could envision a path that gave Wilson the keys to the offense as well as the understanding he had to perform to keep them.

Let Fields give opposing defenses something to scout in the early season in a possible RPO package? OK. But how long before he gets the chance to show it all as the starter?

We all know about Wilson’s ceiling. Which depths, though, would he have to reach for Pittsburgh to make a change?

Wilson got the starting nod after Fields gained lots of training-camp experience with the Steelers first team.

Fields was 19-for-27 passing for 199 yards and a 91.4 passer rating during preseason and remained a threat for explosive plays as a runner. A pair of fumbled exchanges with the center in his first preseason game, however, “negated a lot of good things,” Tomlin said.

Indeed, Fields’ athleticism is his calling card and a selling point. Still, his shakiness as a downfield passer, something his bosses in Chicago couldn’t remedy, is there, too.

One need not have a friend named Raheem Morris to realize what’s developing in the Steelers’ quarterback room.

Russ indeed will have his chance to cook. This time, though, there’ll be a younger and quicker sous chef who invites intrigue, too.