Well, in the event there was any doubt, coach Mike Tomlin put it to rest. For the record, Tomlin said that, yes, Russell Wilson remains the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the season.
Wilson was acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos. Top backup Justin Fields was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Both started for their respective teams last season. This season, only one can start. Today, per Tomlin, that man remains Wilson.
"Nothing's changed," Tomlin told reporters of Wilson as QB1.
This is despite the fact the Steelers' offense has struggled mightily in the preseason. But honestly, who cares? It's the preseason.
"We're playing," Wilson said of the starting offense suiting up for the exhibition game, via the Tribune-Review. "We're all playing. I'm excited to get back onto the field. ... I think the big thing for us is just executing, making our plays and doing our thing."
That's right. Wilson himself is optimistic.
"Someone asked if we're concerned [about the offense]," Wilson said, via 93.7 The Fan. "Absolutely not because the level of practices we've had against one of the best defenses and how we've shown up there."
“Somebody asked if we are concerned right now, absolutely not because the level of practices we’ve had against one of the best defenses and how we’ve shown up there.”#Steelers QB Russell Wilson
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) August 21, 2024
And hey, who can blame the guy for keeping some perspective?
"Wilson's optimism is somewhat warranted," wrote Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports. "The Steelers used several different offensive line combinations during their first two preseason games, and that lack of continuity certainly played a role in the offense's struggles.
"Pittsburgh's offense was also the victim of some self-inflicted wounds that can be attributed to preseason football and the need to knock some of the rust off. There's also the simple fact that the Steelers offense has been pretty vanilla, as Smith is saving his good stuff for when the games count. It should also be noted that the Steelers — like every other team — do not scheme in the preseason."
- More Steelers | Stephen A. Smith blasts Pittsburgh
Russell Wilson says all (most, surely) of the Steelers starters will play in the preseason finale Saturday pic.twitter.com/2KBXTiJw9J
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 21, 2024
