Mike Tomlin reacts to QB controversy surrounding Russell Wilson
As the NFL preseason gets underway, the Pittsburgh Steelers are moving forward with Russell Wilson as the starter quarterback.
Wilson has spent the last few weeks dealing with a calf injury, while backup Justin Fields has been taking much of the first-team snaps in training camp in his absence.
Despite all that, head coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t wavered from Wilson being the starter.
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“You guys saw the depth chart that I released yesterday,” Tomlin said via ESPN. “That is real.”
Wilson won’t play in Friday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans. That leaves the door open for Fields to take the field for a few series with the first team against the Texans.
Although Wilson won’t play this week, he underlined that he’s prepared to play.
“I’m prepared to play,” Wilson said. “I know that. So it’s whatever coach’s decision [is]. Obviously he’s the boss man that gets to make the decisions on that, but I’ll be ready to go.
“There’s been several [preseasons] where I haven’t played, so it’s nothing new. I think I’ve been fortunate to play, I don’t know, 200 games or something like that. I don’t know how many it is now. So I know what it looks like, I know the speed of it.”
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The Steelers are moving through Wilson’s injury with much precaution to avoid any setback. Tomlin appears committed to the former Pro Bowler as the starter at least to start the season, but shouldn’t be viewed as a cemented stance if there is lackluster play under center.
The pressure is on Wilson to prove that he can guide the Steelers to sustained success in 2024.
