Russell Wilson Rumors: Steelers Didn't Guarantee QB1 Job After $1.2M Contract in FA

Despite being talked about by head coach Mike Tomlin as the starting quarterback going into 2024, Russell Wilson wasn't guaranteed to be No. 1 on the depth chart when he originally decided to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Per ESPN's Brooke Pryor, the Steelers "didn't give any" assurances to Wilson when he signed with them after being released by the Denver Broncos.

"He's competed all of his life," the source said. "He's not afraid of it."

Tomlin told reporters at the NFL owners meetings this week Wilson is in the "pole position" for the starting job ahead of Justin Fields, but left the door open for a competition at some point:

"Rest assured, when it comes time to compete, Justin will be given an opportunity to compete. It will allow those guys to sort themselves out. Russell's in the pole position. I think his body of work justifies that. He's just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar. And I just think that's something that a younger guy like Justin can learn from."

Pryor did note that Wilson didn't seek any assurances from the Steelers when he signed with them.

Based on how things have gone for Wilson over the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, there was no reason for Pittsburgh to guarantee him a starting job.

There's certainly a possibility that Wilson will be an upgrade over what the Steelers got from Kenny Pickett in 2023. But the team has also given itself a good backup plan by bringing in Fields.

Wilson threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and completed 66.4 percent of his attempts in 15 starts for the Broncos last season. Pickett has thrown a total of 13 touchdowns in 25 games over the past two seasons.

Based on ESPN's QBR metric, Wilson ranked 21st among 30 qualified quarterbacks last season with a 50.7 rating. Pickett was 27th at 38.1, ahead of only Mac Jones, Bryce Young and Zach Wilson.

Fields was a couple of spots behind Wilson at No. 23 with a 46.1 QBR. He does add a rushing element that can make expand the offense under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The 25-year-old has racked up 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground over the past three seasons.

There's no reason for Tomlin to definitively announce a starter at this point in the offseason. Pittsburgh's quarterback carousel will likely work itself out as the team goes through training camp and the preseason this summer.

Wilson's performance in 2023 and overall body of work from 12 seasons in the NFL should give him a leg up, but Fields is younger and a more explosive athlete to at least make things interesting when the competition gets going.