Yes, Russell Wilson will start for the Steelers on Sunday night. And, yes, Justin Fields will play, too.
Wilson earned first-team reps this week after recovering from an injury in training camp. As receiver George Pickens said Friday, Wilson Get started.
But Fields, who started six games in Wilson’s absence, They will also playAccording to NFL Media.
It’s an interesting dynamic, but it ties in with the messages the Steelers sent before Wilson re-injured his calf in the days leading up to the start of the regular season.
A Justin Fields set was on the cards, but the team didn’t want it to be a gimmick. After Ryan Dannehill claimed the starting job, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith used the Marcus Mariota package at Tennessee. Mariota was on the field for a Derrick Henry jump pass that turned out to be the key to a win over the Ravens during the 2019 playoffs.
The Steelers will have to play within the confines of Wilson’s offense and resist the temptation to play hero ball. That temptation can be strong to very strong. Wilson turns 36 next month. And he has said that he wants to play till he is 45. If he doesn’t perform like he did in his days with the Seahawks, no one will be clamoring to give Wilson the starting job for 2025.
In some respects, Wilson’s career could be riding on the next two games. Both are against New York teams. Both are winnable. Both happen in prime time.
Wilson will be well-positioned to lead the Steelers through a stretch that includes games against the Commanders, Eagles, Chiefs — and the Ravens twice, the Bengals twice, and the Browns twice. Struggle, and the fields can slide back to the starting line.
If Pittsburgh moves on from Wilson for the 2024 season, the rest of the league is more likely to continue through 2025.
