The decision is Tomlin’s, and at least at the beginning of training camp, Russell Wilson was the right clubhouse leader for the job. Wilson’s two-week absence from training camp due to a calf injury gave Fields the opportunity to get his chance.
Since then, Wilson and Fields have shared first-team practices. Wilson started the second preseason game against the Bills and will face the Lions this Saturday. Fields is also expected to play, but Fields declined to comment on the odds for the quarterback spot or clarify how he will try to win the job.
“I try not to think about the things I can’t control,” Fields said of competing with Wilson. “I try to just think about the things I can control. So I can’t control whether or not I get named a starter. I can control how I compete every day, how I work every day and how I treat my teammates every day.”
In two preseason games, the Steelers offense has not scored a touchdown when regulars were on the field. Wilson has led five of those attacks, Fields the other three. Neither quarterback has lost the ball, and each has suffered three sacks. In 20 preseason games, Wilson has completed 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards without a single rushing attempt. Fields has completed 16 of 23 passes for 159 yards, leading the Steelers in rushing yards (44) on 11 carries.
Tomlin said he wants to see more of Fields’ performance from the practice field in Steelers games.
“I want to see (Fields) show some of the things we’ve seen here in practice,” Tomlin said. “As I’ve talked about the offensive unit, we’ve had some really good days (in practice) and have shown a really high level with the potential for spectacular plays, and I want to see that in the stadium.”
Fields has no plans to change his approach for this final preseason game, he said.
“I mean, I’m just going to come here every day, every single day, as the same person, as the leader of this team and work my ass off, and everything else will take care of itself,” Fields said.
