ESPN's Dan Orlovsky admits he was 'bamboozled' by Mike Tomlin's gameplan of Russell Wilson vs Justin Fields QB competition
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still trying to determine who their starting quarterback will be this season between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Wilson, who is older and much more experienced than Fields, seems to have the edge as he started both pre-season games he's been in, despite playing minimally. Fields has served as his backup, with the two in competition for the job.
This morning (August 26) on a segment of ESPN's "Get Up," analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky admitted he was 'bamboozled' by the way head coach Mke Tomlin handled the battle. With Wilson hurt much of this pre-season with a strained calf, Orlovsky thinks Fields should have been the starter for the Steelers.
Orlovsky said:
"I would’ve started Justin Fields but this was never a quarterback competition. We were bamboozled a little bit. I have endless amounts of respect for Mike Tomlin. There is no way that this is a quarterback competition. Russell Wilson missed practice and only played one game.”
In two games played this pre-season, Russell Wilson has completed 10-of-12 passes for 73 yards. Meanwhile, Justin Fields completed 19-of-27 passes for 199 yards this pre-season.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gives update on Justin Fields Russel Wilson situation
Even with the Pittsburgh Steelers concluding their pre-season, Mike Tomlin still doesn't know who he will be his starting quarterback to enter the 2024-2025 season.
Tomlin spoke to ESPN at the end of the Steelers' pre-season finale against the Detroit Lions and said that the team will decide on who the starting quarterback will be at the end of the week.
Tomlin said:
"We'll make a decision at the end of our work week. This upcoming week we have three days of Steelers vs. Steelers work and why not do it then?"
The Steelers and the Patriots are the two teams yet to name their starting quarterback for the season. Both Fields and Wilson have been neck-and-neck for the starting position since the two were acquired by the Steelers this off-season.
The Steelers will open their regular season in a game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 8.