The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of five 3-0 teams in the NFL, but their quarterback situation remains up for discussion.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin indicated the team will “have a decision to make” when Russell Wilson recovers from a calf injury and becomes available for the first-string job again.
Justin Fields has helped Pittsburgh start undefeated, but close wins over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers weren’t enough for him to get a long-term vote of confidence from Tomlin.
Asked Tuesday why he has yet to name Fields the team’s permanent starter, Tomlin replied, “Because there’s no need.” He said Fields will enter the building Wednesday with the mindset that he’s the starter — for Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts (1-2), anyway.
“Sometimes in this business, man, there’s a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made,” Tomlin said. “I’ve learned to make âem when it’s appropriate and it’s not necessary as we sit here right now. When Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I’ll make it and I’ll announce it and I’ll be really transparent about it, but until then, I don’t care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making the decision that’s unnecessary at this juncture.”
Fields has completed 73.3 percent of his passes this year for 518 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. He’s been sacked six times but also has rushed for 90 yards and a score.
Both Fields and Wilson were acquired by Pittsburgh in the offseason, the former in a trade with the Chicago Bears and the latter as a free agent on a one-year contract.