Steelers are open to playing both QBs against Jets

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is keeping quiet about who will be the starting quarterback Sunday night against the New York Jets, but all signs point to Russell Wilson being the starter. George Pickens even let the cat out of the bag.

Even with Wilson in the starting lineup, there’s a chance Justin Fields could see some action as well. Most likely in a special running package.

“Certainly,” Tomlin said after practice Friday when asked if there could be a scenario in which both quarterbacks play Sunday night.

Tomlin said Friday that he had a starting quarterback for Sunday but was keeping that decision internal.

“I am, but I’m going to keep that in-house,” Mike Tomlin said when asked if he was ready to name a starter. “I thought [Wilson] was hot, I thought Justin was hot too. I think we had an extremely productive week for both guys and for the entire unit.”

Wilson was cleared to practice last week and was a full participant but worked with the second team, while Tomlin said he was working off the rust after five weeks of relative inactivity. Wilson dressed as Fields’ backup in the Steelers’ Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

“It’s the first game of the year for me,” Wilson said Thursday. “But you know, I was lucky enough to play a lot of first games. So the confidence is obviously there and just being out there with the guys, that’s the fun of this game, just playing the game that you love and doing the physical part to hopefully get into the end zone and a Lots of touchdowns to score.”

In six games, Fields has recorded 10 touchdowns (five passing, five rushing) and just one interception. His lone interception in six games is the second-fewest in the NFL among QBs with at least 1,000 passing yards.

The Steelers rank 28th in the league with 166.8 yards per game, so that’s an area where Wilson could bolster the offense. Wilson is a better passer than Fields, but doesn’t have the same mobility. Wilson is also 10 years older than Fields. The experience factor and Wilson being a more advanced passer appear to be the reason for the change.

Fields was dynamic as a runner, He leads all quarterbacks with five rushing touchdowns and is fourth among QBs with 231 rushing yards.

“Justin’s legs are an X-factor,” Tomlin said Tuesday, suggesting both quarterbacks could be used Sunday night.

The Jets are currently ranked 27 with a rapid success rate defense and was wounded by the Bills run game last week, allowing 149 yards.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.