Apparently, the starting quarterback role for the Pittsburgh Steelers belongs to Russell Wilson.
The former Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos starter sits atop the QB group in The team’s first official depth chart for training campwith former Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields behind him. Veteran backup Kyle Allen and undrafted rookie John Rhys Plumlee occupy the remaining spots.
It’s not a huge surprise to see Wilson atop the depth chart given his decade-plus experience as a starter. The Steelers signed him to a one-year contract at the veteran minimum this offseason, and the Denver Broncos are still paying him millions after releasing him.
Still, with Wilson’s struggles in recent years, coupled with his age at 35, many expect to see a real battle for the starting quarterback position in Steelers training camp.
Fields figures to be the youngest and perhaps most upside-prone option for the Steelers, who traded a conditional sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the man who was supposed to be the Windy City’s franchise quarterback. The 25-year-old was hailed as the franchise’s savior when he was selected 11th overall in 2021, but the Bears always seemed to be a step behind in his three years with the team.
The Steelers are likely hoping Fields can unleash his potential in a different environment, though they aren’t fully committed given they declined his fifth-year option, which would make him a free agent at the end of the 2024 season. With Wilson also hitting the market at that time, Pittsburgh essentially appears to be hoping one of the flawed options has a breakout season and becomes amenable to an extension.