Mike Tomlin announces Steelers’ QB plan for Week 3

Nov 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts before the Steelers play against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields has led the Pittsburgh Steelers to wins in their first two games of the season, and it sounds like the quarterback will have a chance to go for a third in Week 3.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that the team is still operating as if Fields is their starting quarterback. Tomlin said Russell Wilson still has not returned to practice as a full participant, which is why Tomlin is not going to entertain “hypotheticals” ahead of Sunday’s home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“We’re readying ourselves around Justin. We’ll stay in that mindset until something happens. Hypotheticals are a waste of time,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin is preparing for Justin Fields to start vs. Chargers.

Tomlin: "We're readying ourselves around Justin. We'll stay in that mindset until something happens. Hypotheticals are a waste of time."

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 17, 2024

Wilson aggravated a calf injury ahead of Week 1, so Fields got the start. The former first-round pick led Pittsburgh to an 18-10 road win over the Atlanta Falcons in that game. Then on Sunday, the Steelers came away with another hard-fought road victory when they beat the Denver Broncos 13-6.

Fields’ numbers have been nothing special. He has gone 30/43 for 273 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions through two games. Fields has not turned the ball over, however, which was an issue for him when he was with the Chicago Bears.

Wilson seems to be trending in the right direction with his injury, but there is no need for the Steelers to make a change while things are going well. There has even been talk that Fields could keep the starting job when Wilson is healthy, but Tomlin is clearly content to slow-play the situation as long as possible.