George Pickens slips up, reveals Steelers QB starter amid Justin Fields, Russell Wilson battle

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) receiver George Pickens appeared to have accidentally revealed Russell Wilson to be the starting quarterback over Justin Fields for this Sunday’s Week 7 home contest against the New York Jets (2-4) while speaking with the media on Friday.

Pickens said he has been putting in extra work with Wilson in practice this week “because this is his first start.”

George Pickens said he’s been putting in extra work with QB Russell Wilson after practice – more than usual – “because this is his first start.” pic.twitter.com/6rlQSBU8Hj

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 18, 2024

“Getting on the same page, after practice throwing more than usual because this is his first start,” Pickens told Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier on Friday that he had decided on a starting quarterback against New York. Tomlin, however, said he would be keeping that decision “in-house.” It didn’t take long for Pickens to let the cat out of the bag.

Steelers set for QB change in Week 7 vs. Jets?

Fields has gotten the start under center for the first six games this season, but with Wilson fully healthy from the calf injury he sustained on the eve of training camp, the 35-year-old has taken first-team reps in practice this week.

The offense has largely struggled as a whole, despite Fields showing improvement from his time with the Chicago Bears (4-2). Pittsburgh has the No. 26 ranked offense in the NFL, averaging just 298.3 yards per game. The defense has led the way, surrendering only 14.3 points per game. Fields has thrown for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception on 66.3% passing. His legs have bailed out the Steelers at times, as he has rushed for 231 yards and five scores.

Tomlin named Wilson the starter over Fields before he reaggravated his calf injury and he looks poised to reclaim his spot against New York. That, of course, will be revealed whenever Tomlin officially decides.

One thing is for certain, and that is that Pickens does not have a preference of who’s throwing him the football. Pickens just wants to win, he said on FS1‘s “The Facility” when asked who he’d prefer between Wilson and Fields.

“I know the media and the world want to paint me out as a selfish guy but honestly I’m the most unselfish guy in the world,” Pickens said this week. “To me honestly it really doesn’t matter. They’re both good players and I know they both got two different playing styles, but they’re both good players and they engineer victory. Me coming from Georgia, that’s like one of the biggest things I only care about is winning. … They both engineer victory, so they both good quarterbacks.”