Mike Tomlin discusses Justin Fields’ special role in Steelers’ season opener against the Falcons

The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines Wednesday as coach Mike Tomlin officially announced that veteran Russell Wilson had won the team’s starting quarterback battle over Justin Fields.

But when the Steelers open the 2024 campaign against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8, Fields won’t just be sitting on the bench, holding a clipboard and filling Wilson’s Gatorade bottle.

“My friend Raheem Morris better be ready for a Justin Fields deal,” Tomlin said on the THE Rich Eisen Show Wednesday. “There is too much talent to sit back and watch.”

Entering his fourth NFL season after being selected 11th overall in the 2021 draft, Fields has shown plenty of flashes of elite talent during his three-year stint with the Chicago Bears. In 40 games (38 starts), Fields has thrown for 6,674 yards with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions while rushing for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He didn’t do enough in the preseason to beat out Wilson for the job, though, throwing for 199 yards on 19-of-27 passing and rushing 13 times for 48 yards.

Wilson could be in action with the starters in the first quarter next week at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but it appears Fields will still have a few opportunities to provide a boost to the Steelers’ offense if needed.