Who is starting in the Steelers game vs. the Detroit Lions, Russell Wilson or Justin Fields?

As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their last preseason game against the Detroit Lions, head coach Mike Tomlin has set clear expectations for what needs to happen on the field. After two lackluster preseason performances against the Texans (12-20) and the Bills (3-9), in which the offense appeared disjointed and sluggish, Tomlin emphasized the need for an improvement, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

The Steelers’ offense struggled to find its rhythm in previous outings, regardless of who was under center—Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, or even Kyle Allen. The defense, however, has been a bright spot, showing strong form throughout the preseason.

Who will get the chance to shine against the Lions - Fields or Wilson?

One of the primary areas of Tomlin’s interest is the performance of Russell Wilson, who, according to the Steelers head coach, did not have the entire playbook available to him during the last game against the Buffalo Bills. This limitation was notable, especially in an NFL offense that relies heavily on play-action rollouts and bootlegs, which are crucial for a team running a broad zone scheme like the Steelers. Tomlin and his coaching staff will closely monitor Wilson’s mobility, his effectiveness in the pocket, and his ability to execute core concepts of the offense.

Another player under scrutiny here is Justin Fields. While Fields has shown flashes of brilliance in practice, his game performances have not consistently matched what the coaching staff has observed during practice sessions. Tomlin acknowledged this discrepancy, stating the importance of seeing Fields’s “practice version” appear during games. His ability to create plays and execute within the structure of the offense will be critical as the team evaluates its quarterback situation.

The Steelers coach stated on Thursday that Wilson and all healthy starters will play against the Lions. However, Tomlin didn’t specify how long Wilson or other regular players might be on the field. Tomlin also mentioned that there has been “no change” to the quarterback depth chart, with Wilson listed ahead of Justin Fields despite Wilson’s limited availability due to a calf injury.