Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Says There’s ‘No Need’ To Name Starting QB

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had every right to name Justin Fields his starting quarterback Tuesday.

He declined.

Fields, who is undefeated while filling in for veteran Russell Wilson, will start a fourth consecutive game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson was named starter during training camp but has since been sidelined with a lingering calf injury, opening up a path for Fields to step in and lead the club to a 3-0 start.

Tomlin could make the switch official at any time but has no intention of doing so.

Why?

“There’s no need,” Tomlin said, per ESPN. “I explained to you the variables of the week. It has not changed. He’s going to walk in this building with that mindset tomorrow, and so really, there’s no need to. Sometimes in this business, man, there’s a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made.

“I’ve learned to make them when it’s appropriate and it’s not necessary as we sit here right now, when Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I’ll make it and I’ll announce it and I’ll be really transparent about it, but until then, I don’t care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making the decision that’s unnecessary at this juncture.”

Fields has gained plenty of fans through the early portion of the season, but its clear that Pittsburgh doesn’t want to make a reactionary decision that leads to sour feelings on either side. Tomlin will wait it out for as long as possible, as he probably should.

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