Former NC State All-ACC QB Russell Wilson is Getting QB1 Reps in Practice This Week

Former NC State All-ACC Quarterback Russell Wilson has been taking 1st Team reps in practice this week for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Steelers quarterback drills to open individual periods: Russell Wilson leading off followed by Justin Fields and Kyle Allen pic.twitter.com/M3UI8qwbob

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 16, 2024

With that being said, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has not definitively stated whether Wilson or Justin Fields, who has started the first 6 games, will start on Sunday night against the Jets.

Wilson has been dealing with a calf injury since Fall Camp. Tomlin said last week that Wilson was technically medically cleared prior to their game against the Raiders this past Sunday, but he was still in the process of knocking the rust off.

The Steelers truly do have a dilemma. Wilson was named the starter before the season, and was named a team captain. On the other hand, Fields has led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record, and individually is playing some of the best football in his career.

Fields has completed 66.3% of his passes for 1,106 yards for 5 touchdowns and 1 interception. His QB Rating is 93.9. The completion percentage and QB Rating are currently well above his career numbers. Fields has also rushed for 231 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Last season, Wilson threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, with a QB Rating of 98.0 last year in Denver. He also rushed for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wilson ranked 8th in QB Rating and 9th in touchdowns last season.

Here’s what I know to be true. Russell Wilson is still a starting Quarterback in the NFL. Period. Whether it’s the right move to move him into the starting role over Justin Fields this week is a much bigger question for the Steelers with the present and future in mind.