Justin Fields

ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes, “Justin Fields definitely has work to do to catch Russell Wilson in the race for the starting job, but the Steelers are open-minded about his ability to do so.”

Wilson has been sidelined early in camp with a calf injury that he suffered on the first day of practice. This has resulted in the Steelers getting an extended look at Fields taking snaps with the starters which could intensify a quarterback competition that Wilson was thought to be a lock to win entering camp. Throughout the offseason, Wilson took nearly every first-team rep while Fields worked with the backups. Graziano adds that “when [the Steelers] say it’s an open competition and Fields has a chance, believe them.” Wilson is expected to return to practice sometime this week. It’s possible he’ll do enough to separate himself from Fields once he gets a few days of padded practice in. With that said, the Steelers are desperate to solve a quarterback problem that has plagued them since Ben Roethlisberger retired. They aren’t financially committed to either quarterback beyond this season and will likely start both at some point in the year.