The Steelers’ visit to Denver in week 2 of the regular season was supposed to be a revenge game for Russell Wilson. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as the Steelers’ QB didn’t play a single snap while his team recorded a 13-6 victory away at the Broncos. Although Wilson would have preferred making his debut for the Steelers, he did receive a special gift from head coach Mike Tomlin.

After the match-up at the Mile High End, Tomlin supposedly handed Wilson with a “petty game ball.” As fans speculated the reason behind that gesture, the reporters asked the man himself, and Tomlin replied with, “You know, none of your businesses, respectfully. There are certain things that go on among teams that I don’t talk about. Whether it gets out or how it gets out is unimportant to me, and I am not overly guarded against it. 

Well, it was the temporary starting QB, Justin Fields, who spilled the beans about Wilson getting a petty game ball. “I think we all know Russ got kind of did dirty last year. So I know he’s wished he could have played in this game. It’s awesome getting a win for him. He got a petty game ball. It’s great getting the dub for Russ,” Fields shared.

However, Wilson wasn’t the only one who found themselves holding the petty game ball. As pointed out by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Tomlin likes to reward his players with a special accolade when they manage to beat their former employers. This means WR Brandon Johnson and punter Corliss Waitman also received their petty game balls after the victory in Denver.

Wilson, who signed for the Broncos in a record-breaking deal worth $242.6 million in 2022, was released after just two seasons. Within those two years in Denver, Wilson got sacked 100 times while failing to help the Broncos qualify for playoffs in either of those seasons. Speaking about his time at the Broncos, Wilson shared, “I have a lot of amazing friends from there. I just think that for me it’s always about relationships. You think of being able to build some cool relationships with those guys and people.”

As Wilson took on the black and gold for this season, his time in the NFL might be coming to an end. Without Russ, the Steelers have managed to win their second game of the season courtesy of a clinical performance by Justin Fields.

Justin Fields’ possible takeover as the Steelers’ starting QB ahead of Russell Wilson

While Russell Wilson continues to recover from his calf injury suffered in the off-season, Justin Fields took upon the opportunity to guide the Steelers into a 2-0 start to their season. Within the two games Fields started, he racked up a career-high 69.8% of passes while avoiding any interceptions or fumbles.

This brought him praise from Tomlin, “It’s been really good. But I expect it to be.” But for Fields, the game against the Chargers would be the toughest test yet, as the team from Los Angeles is yet to allow more than 6.5 points per game. Tomlin, who has repeatedly found himself answering questions about Wilson’s role in the squad, said, “We’re kind of in the same posture as we were in last week with Russ. Russ is not scheduled to be a full participant in practice, and so we’re reading a plan that features Justin and his readiness.”

Although it appears that Wilson could lose his place in the lineup, Tomlin offered a glimmer of hope for the veteran. “My position regarding the pecking order and the depth chart has not changed, guys. And it won’t until the other guy gets healthy, and then we’ll give it real consideration,” Tomlin shared. However, it remains to be seen whether the Pro Bowler can break into the lineup. Or will it be too late to turn around his career in Pittsburgh since joining them this year?