‘Door Is Open’ For Justin Fields To Win Steelers Starting QB Job

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin has acknowledged there is a quarterback competition in Pittsburgh.

Following a calf injury that has limited Russell Wilson for most of training camp, Justin Fields has had the opportunity to take a majority of the first-team reps. Fields has been lighting up training camp ever since, leading to speculation about who should be starting for the Steelers in Week 1.

Although Wilson is increasing participation in training camp, he won’t suit up for the Steelers’ first preseason game. Fields will be starting the preseason opener against the Houston Texans.

Wilson is at the top of the first depth chart Pittsburgh released. Fields still has a chance to win the starting quarterback position according to ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin.

“The door is open, it’s a competition. I also think that Tomlin could be talking to Russell Wilson as well,” Martin said Thursday morning on “Get Up. “Like, ‘Yes, you are the QB1. You do have pole position, but this is a competition. The door’s open for somebody to walk through here.’ So which one of them is gonna take the opportunity to make the team and the coaches forget that the other guy is there?

“And I think Justin, because we know the attributes that he has, yes, he is intriguing, but unless Justin Fields goes out there and protects the football, is able to show off his athleticism, throw the deep ball occasionally, but make plays, get them in the end zone…if he doesn’t do those things, Russell should clearly get the job. It’s on both of them now.”

Fields has taken advantage of the opportunities he’s gotten in training camp so far. He’s an intriguing player with a lot of potential. If he can impress in preseason, there’s undoubtedly an opportunity to move up the depth chart.

More NFL: Steelers Rumors: Deal For Brandon Aiyuk ‘Dead’ Without This