Ian Rapoport: Steelers 'probably' going to play both Russell Wilson, Justin Fields at QB

Through two preseason games, the Pittsburgh Steelers still find themselves with a question mark at quarterback. Russell Wilson looked like he would get the starting job when camp started, but a calf injury opened the door for Justin Fields to make an impression.

With one game left before the regular season starts, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested an intriguing possibility. He thinks both quarterbacks will play this season.

Wilson entered camp in “pole position” for the starting job, even as the Steelers traded for Fields. But the injury allowed the former Ohio State star to close that gap and make some wonder if he could take the QB1 spot. With so many questions, Rapoport said it’s possible the Steelers will play both of them this season.

“Neither quarterback has really taken this thing and grabbed it,” Rapoport said on The Insiders Wednesday night. “So if you’re Mike Tomlin, one, I would imagine this is probably a little frustrating that training camp at the quarterback position has not gone as you thought. But two, you really do have an open mind for what are you gonna see in this game? Does anyone jump out at you and say, this guy has to be the starter?

“I would also add that this looks like a situation where we are probably going to see both quarterbacks on the field at some point this season, maybe on the field at some point in the same game, maybe multiple times. A very unsettled quarterback situation, and that looks like that’s the way it’s gonna be this year, judging by camp.”

Wilson made his preseason debut last time out against the Buffalo Bills and struggled. He went 8-for-10 for 47 yards, but was also sacked three times. Fields also played, finishing 11-for-17 for 92 yards as Pittsburgh fell 9-3, marking the second straight game without a touchdown.

Wilson is still the projected starter on the latest depth chart, but not everyone is convinced that should be the case. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky called for Fields to be QB1 when the season starts.

“Justin Fields should start for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Orlovsky said. “Two preseason games in and two weeks until the season, I think it’s obvious that Justin brings more good than bad in comparison to Russ,” Orlovsky said. “The sacks, I would disagree that they’re all on the offensive line.

“Here’s my pushback and the tape is going to say you know Coach [Mike] Tomlin is going to say ‘That’s not how we operate.’ I think that’s the biggest issue right now. The Russ that we saw isn’t operating this offense. They’re certainly not contenders from the Russ that we saw this past week.”