Pittsburgh Steelers intend to start Russell Wilson over Justin Fields, per report

The Steelers pulled off another stunning move Saturday, trading for Bears quarterback Justin Fields. But it will be Russell Wilson, another new acquisition, who will be the starter.

This is according to ESPN. Steelers beat writer Brooke Pryor got the news confirmed from an unidentified team source. Pittsburgh would like to develop Fields, as Wilson, who will be 36 this season, leads the team.

Steelers QB Russell Wilson will start in Pittsburgh and Justin Fields will back him up, a team source told ESPN’s @bepryor.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2024

Basically, the Steelers used free agency week to completely rework their quarterback room. First, they signed Wilson, whom the Broncos released. Kenny Pickett, the starting quarterback the last two seasons, did not like having to compete with Wilson for the top job, so he requested a trade. The Steelers shipped him to the Eagles hours after Wilson appeared at his introductory press conference.

Steelers sent a sixth round pick to Bears for Fields

Then on Saturday, Pittsburgh traded with the Bears for Fields, a former first rounder who started in Chicago for three seasons. The Bears own the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft thanks to a trade they made last year with Carolina. Trading Fields now clears the way for the Bears to select Caleb Williams.

The Bears received the Steelers sixth-round pick in 2025. It will convert to a fourth-round pick if Fields plays 51% of snaps. But if Wilson is the starter, then the pick stays a six.

Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph, who ended last season as the starter in Steel City, signed with the Titans. And Mitch Trubisky, who also started last season, signed with Buffalo.

Fields said good bye to his Bears fans shortly after the trade was announced. He shared on X:

“Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me,” Fields wrote. “Thank you to the entire Bears organization and ownership for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such a historic franchise. But most of all thank you to my all my brothers that I played with. You all were the reason I attacked each day the way I did. I can’t thank you all enough for what y’all have meant to me over the last 3 years through the ups and downs. I wish each one of you nothing but success. Ready for this next chapter!”