New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Steelers’ Tomlin says Wilson has ‘pole position’ for starting QB job
ORLANDO, Fla. — — Russell Wilson’s resume and experience give him the edge over Justin Fields.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Wilson is considered Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback but Fields will get a chance to compete.
“We’re not resistant to competition, but as I’ve mentioned several times of late, I just think it’s appropriate to establish positioning . ... and the term that I’ve used is Russell has pole position,” Tomlin said. “And why do I use that term? Because during this time where we are not formally working, I just think it’s beneficial. His experience in the National Football League, his process has been honed and perfected.
“Talking about over a 12-month calendar, it’s not only good for him, it’s good for teams, it’s good for receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. All the things that people really committed to winning do this time of the year, Russell has those resources, that structure. And so that’s why I say he has pole position. It just creates a synergy that I think is good for this time of year. When it’s time to compete and we get in training camp-like settings and we’re going to stadiums and so forth, obviously Justin be given an opportunity to show people.”
The Steelers revamped their quarterback room earlier this month, signing Wilson to the $1.21 million veteran’s minimum after the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback was released by Denver.
Kenny
Pickett, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, asked for a trade after Wilson’s arrival, Tomlin said. So, Pittsburgh sent him to Philadelphia and acquired Fields, a first-round pick in 2021, from Chicago for a conditional sixth-round choice in 2025.
The Steelers also let Mason Rudolph (Titans) and Mitch Trubisky (Bills) leave in free agency.
The 35-year-old Wilson was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade from Seattle. He bounced back from a dreadful 2022 season and threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, but still lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after going 7-8 in coach Sean Payton’s first season last year.
Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.
The Steelers lost a wildcard playoff game with Rudolph as their starting quarterback. Rudolph went 3-0 after replacing Pickett, who was 7-5 before going down with an injury. Trubisky started the other two games and went 0-2.
“When the free agency process began, we only had one quarterback on our roster and so we were looking at every available person on the market,” Tomlin said. “It was just part of our process. Obviously when we got into it, and after (Wilson) got permission to talk . ... the conversations were very fluid and natural. He did his appropriate research on us, and I think that’s probably one of the more impressive things about the process from my perspective. His level of preparedness in terms of knowing us and who we are and how he might potentially fit just really put us at ease over the process.”
Fields was 10-28 on lousy teams in Chicago but showed flashes of being a special player. He completed 60.3% of his passes and threw for 40 touchdown with 30 interceptions. Plus, he ran for 2,220 yards and 14 scores.
“He oozes talent and potential,” Tomlin said. “He’s worn the responsibility of being a franchise quarterback, but still he gets an opportunity to come into a communitylike situation and learn from a guy that’s been doing it for over a decade. Man, there’s a lot of meat left on that bone and I’m just excited.”
Easy decision
Releasing Wilson costs Denver an $85 million salary cap hit over the next two seasons but Payton has no regrets.
Asked if it was difficult to move on from Wilson considering the Broncos are taking the largest dead cap hit in NFL history, Payton responded: “No.”
He paused, and then added: “I mean it’s always difficult when you take a cap hit like that. We spent time deciding how we were going to take that and then we move forward again.”
Stidham will get a chance to be Denver’s starting quarterback and Payton indicated the team is interested in trading with Arizona for the No. 4 spot in the draft.
“He’s definitely competing to be the starter,” Payton said of Stidham. “I don’t think we have a term ‘driver’s seat’ really. But he’s going to compete for that position. I know he’s anxious and excited to do that, and I’m sure there will be other candidates that will be competing with him.”
Rodgers’ return
Jets coach Robert Saleh expects Aaron Rodgers to be ready for organized team activities in the spring after the four-time NFL MVP tore an Achilles tendon in New York’s season opener.
It’s no surprise since Rodgers had already resumed throwing late last season and was considering a comeback if the Jets would’ve been in playoff contention.
Saleh said he had no reaction when speculation arose that Rodgers was being considered as a running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign.
“I think it was viewed a little bit differently in the political world than it was, at least in our world,” Saleh said.