To the surprise of not many, the Pittsburgh Steelers are choosing Russell Wilson over Justin Fields as the opening day starting quarterback. Not everyone thinks that's the best move, in terms of media and fans, but the onloy opinion that counts belongs to head coach Mike Tomlin.
"Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in March, entered the offseason in 'pole position' for the starting job, according to Tomlin," wrote Brooke Pryor of ESPN. "He retained the spot despite a calf injury that sidelined him throughout the majority of the Steelers' training camp.
"Justin Fields, whom the Steelers acquired from the Chicago Bears in a March trade for a conditional sixth-round pick, will (back up Wilson)."
Tomlin recently told reporters that "nothing's changed" when it came to Wilson's status as the top QB in the room. Wilson, for his part, has exuded the confidence despite the fact the Denver Broncos are paying him more than $35 million to play for someone else.
"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."
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."
The Steelers open the season on Sunday, Sept. 8 at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
