Mike Tomlin's comments on Justin Fields make a lot of sense following reported dysfunction with Russell Wilson
On Tuesday, Mike Tomlin planted his flag when it comes to Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields. The biggest question facing the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers, there are a lot of names in the mix when it comes to who starts at QB come September. It's becoming increasingly unlikely that it's Russell Wilson… Russell Wilson and Arthur […]
On Tuesday, Mike Tomlin planted his flag when it comes to Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields.
The biggest question facing the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers, there are a lot of names in the mix when it comes to who starts at QB come September.
It's becoming increasingly unlikely that it's Russell Wilson…
Russell Wilson and Arthur Smith Reportedly had bad working relationship
Reports surfaced during the year that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith preferred Fields over Wilson but that was never substantiated. Still, despite Wilson and Smith spending countless hours together after the typical workday watching film and publicly joking about it, a team source recently said that Wilson and Smith did not have a very good working relationship but fought through their differences as best they could. It’s unknown whether or not that relationship will weigh in on the decision moving forward from either side.
– Mark Kanboly, Pat McAfee Show Correspondent
The report surfaced just hours after Mike Tomlin's end-of-season address, where for the first time all year, he seemed to favor Justin Fields over Russell Wilson, especially as it pertained to the 2025 season.
"I thought that the way that he managed his professional circumstances was really impressive," said Tomlin when asked if Fields could be a 17 game starter and have pole position heading into 2025. "I thought he brought an urgency to his day-to-day work, regardless of his role. I thought he got continually better within our system of ball. Throughout the process, I thought the way he conducted himself, makes that a legitimate thought or idea at this juncture."
Coach Tomlin's comments and overall posture about the QB position blended closer to a variety of options than a return for Russell Wilson. Not only did he fawn over Fields, but he mentioned the draft and free agency as other avenues for finding a QB, while saying that Russell Wilson's age as he heads into his 37th trip around the sun coming off five straight losses is being taken into consideration.
So while it's far too early to draw any firm conclusions on the QB situation in 2025, there is clear direction and that arrow seemingly points to anywhere but a return of Russell Wilson.
