The “petty game ball” might end up being the highlight of Russell Wilson’s Steelers career.
Wilson won the starting QB job in the preseason over Justin Fields before an ill-timed calf injury sidelined him for the start of the season.
Fields has done enough with the opportunity and it seems likely he will remain the starter for now with the Steelers off to a 2-0 start.
“If Russ is healthy, I’m sticking with Justin,” Steelers great Ben Roethlisberger said on his podcast this week, as reported by CBS Sports. “I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there.”
Fields, whom the Steelers acquired from the Bears for a sixth-round pick this offseason, has been solid — not spectacular — in quarterbacking a team that is led by a dominant defense.
And he certainly offers more long-term upside given that he is a decade younger than Wilson.
The 25-year-old has completed 30 of 43 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown while running for another 84 yards.
The most important stat, though, may be the fact that he has not turned the ball over in road victories over the Falcons and Broncos.
“So far, I like what I’ve seen,” Roethlisberger said. “I like that he’s getting into it. I like that he’s getting the feel of it. If you told me that they’re 1-1 or 0-2 and this is going on, I’d say, ‘Yeah, we’ve got to do something.’ But again, he’s not turning the ball over.”
The question as to whether Fields will keep the starting job has remained on the back burner with head coach Mike Tomlin, as Wilson has still not been deemed healthy enough to return to game action.
The veteran was the emergency third quarterback in his return to Denver last week after the Broncos benched then released him a season ago, despite the $85 million in dead cap money that came with that decision.
Given those circumstances, the 35-year-old Wilson received the “petty game ball” despite not playing a snap in Denver in Pittsburgh’s 13-6 victory.
“I think we all know Russ got kind of did dirty last year,” said Fields, who was similarly cast off by the Bears who took Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
“So I know he wished he could have played today in this game, but it’s awesome getting a win for him. He got a petty game ball.”
The question now becomes will Wilson need a “petty game ball” if he returns to Pittsburgh next season with another team.
The Steelers take on the Chargers on Sunday in their home opener.