Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin let his team's quarterback situation play out as long as he could. But in the end, Russell Wilson went from pole position to the winner of the race.
That's not a surprise.
Wilson gives the Steelers the best chance to win right now. That's not to say, however, the team didn't learn a lot about backup Justin Fields during this journey.
And therein lies the genius of Tomlin calling this a quarterback battle. The reality is that both players were new to this team. Until Tomlin and his coaching staff spent time with them day-in and day-out in a brand-new offense, it would be impossible to say if one, both or neither was really a good fit.
"I think that doing it earlier than this time would have put a de-emphasis on the work that we were able to get done out here from a developmental standpoint," Tomlin said after naming Wilson his team's starter earlier this week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Wilson and Fields pushed each other. And while the results might not have shown up in all of the team's three preseason games, it was apparent to anyone paying attention at practices. Both quarterbacks got better as they got a better command of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense, and both continued to push each other through their play.
"It was a difficult decision, but not difficult in a negative way, to be quite honest with you," Tomlin said. "It was difficult in a positive way. The decision was difficult because of what they're capable of doing. The decision was difficult because of how they've conducted themselves, as opposed to the things that they fall short of in terms of capabilities or negative conduct. Both guys have been really professional. I've been really excited about getting to know them and their games and having the ability to analyze what both are capable of bringing."
The Steelers utilize their bye week to prepare for the upcoming Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2), Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jalen Elliott (34) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end DeMarvin Leal (98) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers special team coordinator Danny Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end DeMarvin Leal (98) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
And that's a good thing.
Both quarterbacks are looking to rebuild the perception the world has of them. Both will get that opportunity with the Steelers, even though they're at different points in their respective careers.
For Wilson, this opportunity with the Steelers is about washing away two seasons in Denver and resuming what had been, prior to that stop, a career that is going to end with him getting a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio. For Fields, it's a chance to show that the Chicago Bears moved on from him too early to draft their next quarterback.
"Justin's a pro," said Wilson, a 13-year veteran who served as a mentor for Fields even before both joined the Steelers. "I think that he's been a pro ever since the day he's gotten here. I've watched him over his career as well.
"I think we both have admiration for each other. I told you guys before, we have a great relationship and you know how much we've talked over the years, and obviously now every day. So, for me, as a leader, as a guy who's been in the league for a long time, it's really about setting the tone every day of how we practice, setting the tone of our quarterback room, making sure that we're always together and always working together. We've done a really great job of that I believe, and we're going to continue to do that."
And maybe help this team win a bunch of football games along the way.
"I came to be a Pittsburgh Steeler to help us win another Super Bowl," Wilson said after being told he was the starter. "That's the bottom line. That's the focus. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I believe in this football team. We believe in each other, and we've got to do the work. And that's just what it is. And soI'm excited about it, man. I'm excited about the challenge. I look forward to it. I look forward to the obstacles ahead."
• There's little doubt that Fields has perhaps a higher upside than that of Wilson at this point in their careers – not that Wilson isn't still capable of big things.
After all, in a four-week stretch last season, Wilson led the Broncos to wins over the Packers, Chiefs, Vikings and Browns, throwing eight touchdown passes against no interceptions.
But Fields is an outstanding athlete who is 10 years behind Wilson in terms of learning the ins and outs of playing quarterback in the NFL.
And this team needs that veteran presence in the starting lineup.
The Steelers have the third-oldest roster in the NFL. That doesn't mean they don't have some promising young talent, but per Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempiski, the average age of the players on the Steelers' roster is 26.81. That being said, the average age of the 22 players currently listed atop the depth chart is 25.9 years old, so the Steelers aren't over the hill.
But with age comes experience. And the Steelers have plenty of that, even among some of their younger players.
The clock, however, is ticking for some of the team's best players. Cam Heyward is 35. T.J. Watt is 29. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith are both 27.
This is a team built to win now and needs its quarterback not only to win games, but just as importantly, to not lose them by turning the ball over.
Wilson's 200 games of NFL experience makes him the best fit for this team right now.
• All of that being said, Tomlin and his coaching staff would be foolish not to devise some uses for Fields during the season. And nobody is accusing them of foolishness.
While Wilson might give the Steelers the best opportunity to win on a weekly basis with his consistent play, Fields is perhaps the league's most dangerous runner at the quarterback position. He's not the precision passer that Wilson is, but given Wilson's career 100.0 passer rating – fourth-best all-time – not many are.
Fields has shown in his time with the Steelers that he's not a bad passer either. And he can throw the ball much better than he did at times with Chicago, when perhaps some of his mechanics got away from him.
Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth has done a nice job of getting Fields' footwork back to where it was in his college days at Ohio State, where he completed 68.4 percent of his passes, including just over 70 percent his final season.
That makes Fields a very dangerous weapon. When he lines up under center in whatever packages the coaching staff designs for him, he's an extremely dangerous runner. And he's an extremely dangerous runner very capable of also connecting on a long pass if the defense loads up to stop the run.
"His athleticism is freaky," said Tomlin of Fields. "I've seen the highlights and things of that nature, but being an AFC coach, you don't always get a chance to feel it or really pay attention to it, to see it day to day, and to see some of the things that he's capable of doing on the football fields are really exciting."
NFL teams have only a short time to prepare for the following week's opponent, really just three days of practice. And if the opposing team has to spend even 20 minutes preparing to face Fields as well as Wilson, that's 20 minutes it doesn't have time to prepare for something else.
• Over the past two seasons, Steelers quarterbacks have combined to throw 25 touchdown passes, 12 in 2022 and 13 in 2023.
It hasn't exactly been a dynamic passing attack.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast
Wilson has averaged 1.78 touchdown passes per game over the course of his NFL career. Last season in Denver, Wilson had at least one touchdown pass in all 15 games he started. He had multiple touchdown passes in eight of his 15 starts.
The Steelers had two such games in 2023, one each by Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph.
The reason? Not only is Wilson one of the best deep ball throwers of his generation of quarterbacks, he's also an accomplished passer in the red zone. Wilson has thrown 214 career touchdown passes against just 14 interceptions inside the opposing 20. Inside the opposing 10, those numbers are 141 career touchdown passes against eight interceptions.
In 2023 alone, Wilson had 20 red zone touchdown passes against one interception. Inside the 10, he threw 12 touchdown passes against one interception, one fewer touchdown pass than the Steelers had as a team.
• Brandon Thorn, who operates a web site dedicated to NFL offensive line play called "Trench Warfare," watched every rookie offensive linemen who played in the NFL preseason.
He graded Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier as the best.
"My pick for the best rookie blocker from the preseason goes to Frazier, who made a smooth transition from his time at West Virginia to his first few games as a pro," Thorn wrote. "So far, he looks like a quality starter out of the gate for the Steelers."
Will there be some bumps in the road for the rookie? Sure.
But it won't be because of a lack of effort. One of the things that immediately stands out about Frazier is how he's always looking for somebody else to block. He's constantly working when he's on the field.
