Russell Wilson found himself earning one more extended opportunity in the NFL following his abrupt flame-out with the Denver Broncos.
The Super Bowl XLVIII-winning quarterback now arrives at the Pittsburgh Steelers with one more chance to add to a resume that features nine Pro Bowl appearances, but none since 2021.
But, will Wilson take the field for the first time as a member of the Steelers with the Houston Texans in town for the preseason opener?
Latest Details on Russell Wilson’s Status Against Houston
Wilson’s Steelers debut got off to a rough start — the moment he got out of bed before the team reported for training camp.
The former Broncos and Seattle Seahawks quarterback walked into Day 1 of camp with a calf strain. The lower-body ailment persuaded the Steelers to give Wilson some early rest.
Has that injury lingered over to the week of the opening preseason contest at Acrisure Stadium? Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed Wednesday what his plan was for Wilson and fellow Steelers newcomer Justin Fields.
“I’m probably gonna give that ‘first unit’ — and him included in that — a couple of series,” Tomlin told reporters.
However, Tomlin was referencing Fields in the above quote. The former Chicago Bears starter and No. 11 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft is lined up to handle QB1 reins against the defending AFC South champions.
Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Wilson would not play against the Texans, as head coach Mike Tomlin said he’s one of the players who’s been dealing with “minor training camp injuries.”
How To Watch Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
Start time: 7 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network
Live streaming options: NFL +, Steelers team website
Is Starting QB Job Still Wilson’s To Lose?
On the first day Wilson sat out, Fields wound up putting on a show with his talented right arm.
Fields wowed spectators at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. with this deep connection to wide receiver Van Jefferson.
Wow perfectly placed deep ball for a Van Jefferson touchdown. pic.twitter.com/8ZYtvomPD0
— Baku 🐧 (@Mazursky8895) July 25, 2024
Fields hasn’t stopped stacking the good days at Steelers camp. He’s very much competed at a high level, per Tomlin’s words to reporters.
“Very much is a competition,” Tomlin said.
However, the Super Bowl 43-winning coach reminded the media that jobs aren’t decided in practice.
“What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting because it’s more game-like,” Tomlin said.
So in the case of Fields, he gets the opportunity to spark renewed conversations within the Steelers’ organization on which direction to turn for QB. However, ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick noted during a Thursday appearance the Dan Patrick Show that he’s had “conversations” with people close to the QB situation which confirm Fields is positioning himself as the regular-season-opening starter.
“I have a feeling based on my conversations that if Justin can continue to ascend like he is looking in practice, he’s going start Week 1, he’s going to be the opening day starter,” Riddick said.
"I have a feeling based on my conversations that if Justin can continue to ascend like he is looking in practice, he's going start Week 1, he's going to be the opening day starter."
–@LRiddickESPN on the #Steelers starting QB competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields pic.twitter.com/Hp5KbkyJC5
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) August 8, 2024
Can Wilson Redeem Himself? How He Fits Steelers Offense
Wilson hasn’t demonstrated much consistency since throwing for 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions in his last Pro Bowl campaign of 2021.
Even during that season, Wilson went 6-8 as a starter. But his record worsened in the Rocky Mountains — going 11-19 overall with the Broncos. He even stalled on passing plays out of the shotgun, completing less than 60.1% of his throws when going deep, according to TruMedia.
Perhaps last season is a sign the 35-year-old Wilson has lost strength in his right arm. But now, he’s walking into an offense that has the makings of a run-heavy scheme under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
He’s the same Smith who once turned Derrick Henry into a 2,000-yard running back and the face of the backfield during his run with the Tennessee Titans. Smith’s system points to Najee Harris becoming the main emphasis. But for Wilson, this could be reminiscent of his situation back in 2013, when he operated in a run-oriented offense that rode Marshawn Lynch to Seattle’s first Super Bowl title.
Wilson, though, won’t get an immediate chance to run Smith’s offense against the Texans. Steelers fans will likely have to wait until Week 1 to know if it’s him or Fields who leads the huddle on the opening offensive possession of the 2024 regular season.
