The Pittsburgh Steelers took to the practice field again at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday before some time off ahead of Week 1. Following practice, head coach Mike Tomlin briefly addressed the media about the Steelers quarterback situation. Since he was asked about the quarterbacks (and one non-quarterback which he quickly dismissed), I am going to do my best to bring another players mentioned article. Remember these are players where a specific question was asked during the Q&A period.

Russell Wilson

Coach Tomlin was asked about the value of Russell Wilson’s leadership and communication on the field.

“You know, I saw it and noticed it. I don’t know that it made a big difference in terms of the decision, because I saw it in both guys. Obviously, Russ’ resume is a unique one in terms of lift and success, and that tends to play a factor in the decision making, but not from a decision maker’s perspective. It’s just the fruit of his labor. He’s seen a lot and done a lot, and I think it was reflected in the way he played and conducted himself.”

Coach Tomlin was asked what gave him the confidence to make the decision to start Wilson despite him not getting very much in-stadium work in the preseason.

“You know, a lot of work got done in the practice setting. You guys come to our practices. They’re intense, and they’re intense by design, because we’ve got to know. I hate speculation. It’s a football-like environment. We try to make it as football-like as we can. And I saw it enough to be comfortable, certainly.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Russell Wilson’s mobility.

“I am completely comfortable with the mobility that he has. I don’t necessarily have a frame of reference from earlier in his career because I wasn’t around him day-to-day. But what I’ve seen day to day as he’s gained his health is certainly sufficient in terms of doing things that we desire to do with quarterback mobility, or doing things ad lib, in terms of extending plays. That is very much still in his wheelhouse.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Russell Wilson‘s ability to throw the deep ball and how it impacts their offense.

“Really excited about it. And you guys have seen it in our in our practices, man, he’s got a legitimate deep ball, not only in terms of the arm strength, but in terms of accuracy. We got some guys that are capable of getting down the field in a lot of ways. So we’re excited about that.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about his evaluation of Wilson’s mastery of the offense while being sidelined with his calf injury during training camp and into the preseason.

“It’s certainly sufficient enough for us to be having this discussion, but growth and development will be ongoing, not only for him, but for all of us, particularly at the early stages of this journey. To characterize anything at this juncture as complete or comfort is inappropriate.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about when he made the decision to name Wilson as the starter.

“We made the decision today, I revealed it to them today, and all other elements of it are moot, really.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Wilson‘s body of work throughout his career impacted the decision.

“The body of work is one of the components of why he’s here. The decision was made based on what it is that we saw.”

Justin Fields

Coach Tomlin was asked about using Justin Fields in specific packages on offense.

“I’ll leave all of that on the table. Speculate away.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if there was anything about Fields that he got more familiar with after Fields was in the building.

“Man, his athleticism is freaky. I’ve seen the highlights and things of that nature, but being an AFC coach and things of that nature, you don’t always get a chance to feel it or really pay attention to it, to see it day to day, and to see some of the things that he’s capable of doing on the football fields are really exciting.”

All the quarterbacks, including Kyle Allen

Coach Tomlin was asked about how much input offensive coordinator Arthur Smith had on the decision of the starting quarterback.

“A lot of input, but I don’t run away from responsibility. Assistants make suggestions. Guys like me make decisions.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about how he has seen Russell Wilson take control of what Arthur Smith is asking them to do, and in his response he mentioned both Justin Fields and Kyle Allen.

“He and Justin [Fields] and Kyle[Allen], they’ve all done a really good job of owning the responsibility that comes with being a quarterback within this system, and I expect that to continue.”

Coach Tomlin was asked how he told the quarterbacks about the decision and how they responded.

“It was with both guys together, and they handled it like professionals.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if the decision being difficult as to who would start a quarterback meant the Steelers were in good shape with having a backup option.

“I’m not worried about contingency plan as I stand here today.”

Beanie Bishop

Coach Tomlin was asked about Beanie Bishop making the 53-man roster despite it being a press conference about the quarterbacks.

“I’m just talking about the [quarterbacks] right now. You’re going to throw Beanie [Bishop] in this discussion?”

Mike Tomlin’s complete press conference can be seen below:

Coach Tomlin spoke to the media after practice: pic.twitter.com/78adXnC4yD

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 28, 2024