The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially named Russell Wilson their Week 1 starter, leaving former Chicago Bears star Justin Fields as the team’s second quarterback. This decision has been expected around the league for some time — and it’s not the league-shattering news Steelers fans were hoping for — but head coach Mike Tomlin has hinted that Fields will continue to play a role in Pittsburgh’s offense.
At a performance on Wednesday at The Rich Eisen ShowTomlin was full of praise for both quarterbacks. “It was a challenging and good experience,” the head coach replied when asked what led to the decision to name a starter. “Justin’s talents are greater than I expected, especially his mobility, the things he can do and create… Russ’ long ball is even more impressive than his reputation.”
When Eisen asked the longtime coach if there would be a “Justin Fields package” with Wilson as the starter, Tomlin replied, “My friend (Atlanta Falcons head coach) Raheem Morris should get ready for a Justin Fields package (in Week 1)… I don’t want to give away any strategic approaches, but there’s probably too much talent to sit around and watch all day.”
Fields’ playing time during the 2024 season is a situation that Chicago Bears fans will be watching closely over the next few months, as the sixth-round pick the former Ohio State quarterback receives in return is set to become a fourth-round pick if he plays 51% or more of the offensive snaps this season. Notably, there doesn’t appear to be a clause Where Fields lines up on the field, and there is no requirement that Fields be the only quarterback on the field to count his playing time.
This means that regardless of Fields’ role on offense, whether as an eventual starter or in a more technical role, his playing time could have a direct impact on the Chicago Bears’ draft compensation at the end of the season. Currently, all that is known is that Fields will begin the season as a backup quarterback, but the impression he has made on the Steelers’ coaching staff is clear, and the former 11th overall draft pick will play a role in their offense come September.
