Pittsburgh Steelers list Russell Wilson as starting quarterback on first depth chart

The Pittsburgh Steelers have revealed their depth chart as they prepare for their slate of 2024 preseason games. The AFC North franchise has officially listed Russell Wilson as the Steelers’ starting quarterback in their first depth chart.

When Pittsburgh initially made the move to sign Wilson after he was released by the Denver Broncos, head coach Mike Tomlin said that the plan was for the veteran Super Bowl-winning quarterback to start. And Tomlin did not waver from that stance even after the Steelers brought in the former first-round pick of the Chicago Bears, Justin Fields. This recent update only confirms the vision of the Steelers head coach heading into the preseason.

In the picture below is a quick snapshot of Pittsburgh’s first and second stringers on the offensive side of the football.

Russell Wilson listed as the starter on the Steelers’ first depth chart pic.twitter.com/0nkXF2fQNh

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 6, 2024

This announcement comes shortly after it was revealed that Fields was making a strong push for the starting quarterback position at camp. The former Ohio State Buckeye star quarterback was seen taking first-team snaps during training camp.

Pittsburgh’s initial decision to name Wilson the starter over Fields does not necessarily mean this is how things will remain for the upcoming 2024 season. There is still time for Fields to challenge the Super Bowl-winning veteran and quite possibly eclipse him as the starter before the Steelers’ season opener on September 8 against officer coordinator Arthur Smith‘s former team, the Atlanta Falcons.

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.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this story