Ian Rapoport: Steelers QB competition is ‘a little more open’ after Justin Fields’ strong performance

Russell Wilson reported to Steelers training camp last month as the undisputed first-team quarterback. Mike Tomlin has likened it to having the “pole position.”

But the pole position is only about where you start, not where you finish. And reports out of Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Pa., indicate that Wilson no longer is a lock. With Wilson limited in what he can do, Justin Fields is impressing as he takes the first-team reps in practice.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was at Saint Vincent’s College on Saturday, and he gave an assessment on what he thinks is happening.

“It has been an impressive couple of weeks for Justin Fields,” Rapoport said. “And it is obvious Russell Wilson came into this camp in the pole position. It feels to me, just to me, that (the competition) is a little more open that it was two weeks ago.”

Fields taking first-team snaps at Steelers camp

If anything, Wilson solely is guilty of bad timing. He showed up to Steelers camp on July 24, ready to work. The 35-year-old is trying to show that his mediocre, two-year stint with the Broncos, is an aberration. The Steelers represent a second chance. But after Wilson dumped his stuff in the dorm, he participated in conditioning exercises.

While pushing a blocking sled, Wilson strained his calf. Such injuries can be nasty for quarterbacks if not healed properly. That’s because they are easy to aggravate. So Wilson is doing some individual drills and is seeing only a smattering of team snaps. Joe Burrow is a perfect example of what a calf strain can do to a QB. He pulled his calf early in Bengals camp in July 2023. He sat out most of training camp and started the season opener only to reaggravate the strain in season two against the Ravens.

On Friday night, the Steelers conducted their annual training camp practice in primetime. Tomlin had the team do its “Seven Shots” goal-line drill. Fields led the first-team offense to six touchdowns. Fields threw for three touchdowns. Two went to George Pickens, the third was to tight end Pat Freiermuth.

New OC: ‘Russell’s time will come’

New Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith lauded Field’s play to open camp.

“Justin has done a fantastic job, and we are getting to know him,” Smith told reporters. “Russell’s time will come. Good thing is Russ is a veteran, these are critical reps for Justin.”

Fields, the former Ohio State star, was the Bears first-round pick in 2021. And he started three seasons in Chicago. But the Bears traded him to the Steelers back in March and drafted Caleb Williams at No. 1 a month later.

The Steelers open their preseason schedule with a game against the Texans on Aug. 9, at Acrisure Stadium.