The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation is one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the new NFL season. With veteran Russell Wilson and rising star Justin Fields vying for the starting role. Despite the Steelers officially naming Wilson as the starter, NFL analyst John Middlekauff on the 3 and Out podcast believes Fields won’t be content with backup duty and is poised to see significant game time this year.

Middlekauff pointed out that Wilson’s standing within the Steelers organization is not yet solidified. “Russell Wilson has zero equity with the franchise. If they start poor, if he’s dinking and dunking, if he doesn’t play well in training camp, the conversations will immediately start,” he noted. This precarious position could open the door for Fields, whose competitive nature and mindset make him a formidable contender for the starting spot.

Fields himself has made his intentions clear. He views the quarterback role as an open competition, driven by the belief that he has a real shot at taking over as QB1. As John pointed “He views this as a competition as he should, because the opportunity is there.”

Middlekauff further elaborated on the potential shift in Pittsburgh’s quarterback strategy. “Like, we know what Russell is now. Gives you 25 touchdowns, dinks and dunks, and you lose a lot of games. And if I’m Justin Fields, I go in with this mindset in OTAs, in training camp. I plan on starting week one.”

The Steelers face a daunting schedule, particularly after their Week 12 bye, with tough matchups against the Chiefs, Eagles, and Bengals. This challenging slate might compel head coach Mike Tomlin to utilize both quarterbacks strategically. Fields appears to approach the upcoming season with the same mindset that has brought him success thus far.

Justin Fields Eyes Starting Role in Steelers’ QB Battle with Russell Wilson

When the Steelers got Justin Fie͏lds in March, the plan was clear—he would be Russell Wilson͏’s backup. But now, head coach Mike Tomlin has made it͏ a full-on com͏p͏et͏ition͏ for the starting quarterback spot͏.

As OTAs kicked off this week, Fields made it clear he plans to seize that opportunity. “I’m definitely competing, Russ knows that. We’re competing against each other every day. … I definitely don’t have the mindset of me just sitting all year. I’m coming in every day giving it all I’ve got—pushing him to be his best, and he’s pushing me to be my best each and every day,” Fields said to reporters on Tuesday.

In the 2023 season, Wilson had a passer rating of 98.0 with 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, in͏ 15 games. In͏ ͏comparison, Fields͏ ͏had a ͏passer rating of 86.3 with 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns, in 13 ga͏mes. Despi͏te Wilson’s statistical edge, Fields is ready ͏t͏o challenge the senior QB t͏his season. Wilson, n͏ow 35, is not his old self  like he was in his ͏Pro Bowl days in Seattle, while Fields is dete͏rmined to prove himself after a disap͏pointin͏g͏ stint in Chicago.