“Family! God is good!” Russell Wilson‘s Instagram caption on August 27, 2024, rings louder than any stadium cheer. As the Steelers‘ quarterback controversy swirls like a Pittsburgh blizzard, Wilson’s found his warmest refuge – right in the arms of his superstar wife Ciara and their little ones.
Wilson dropped a social media bomb that had nothing to do with spiral passes or audibles. Instead, it was a heartwarming series of snapshots featuring the QB clan at Steelers camp. There’s Russ, decked out in Steelers gear, arm-in-arm with Ciara rocking an oversized team tee. Another shows him cradling daughter Amora, dressed in adorable black and yellow, both beaming.
This family pit stop wasn’t just a quick photo op. It’s a page right out of the Wilson playbook – when the going gets tough, gather your team. And boy, has it been tough. The battle for QB1 with Justin Fields has been hotter than a steel furnace, leaving fans and pundits wondering if Wilson’s starting spot is as solid as we all thought.
Let’s rewind the game tape a bit. CBS Sports reported on July 31, 2024, that Ciara visited Steelers training camp between tour dates of her “Out of This World” tour with Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. This visit came after Wilson had been sidelined with a calf injury, making his return to practice on July 26 all the more significant.
In the preseason finale against the Lions on August 24, Wilson showed flashes of his veteran prowess. As reported by CBS Sports, he completed both of his passes, including a 32-yard strike to George Pickens, setting up a touchdown drive. His final preseason stats? A crisp 10 of 12 for 73 yards across two games.
So, while the football world debates stats and snap counts, Wilson’s focusing on what matters. His Instagram post isn’t just cute – it’s a statement. However, as Wilson finds comfort in his small family amidst the competitive NFL arena, Justin Fields isn’t backing down from upping that competition.
Despite Justin Field’s quiet quest for QB1, the preseason vouches against the quarterback
Justin Fields kept it short and sweet when asked about the QB competition: “I think I’ve shown what I can do,” as reported by ESPN on August 22, 2024. Talk about a mic-drop moment! However, Fields’ preseason stats might not set the world on fire – 19 for 27, 199 yards.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN never one to mince words, stirred the pot on August 24, reporting that Wilson’s “command of the offense since he’s been back in full practice swing from the calf injury has been obvious. Something that only a seasoned, veteran Pro Bowler can show.”
Wilson’s got the experience, the family cheering section, and according to Fowler, that veteran swagger. Not on this, per Bleacher Report, fans seem to be rooting for Wilson as well after the preseason show of both QBs on the field. On the 22nd August episode of Dan Patrick Show, Gerry Dulac candidly mentioned, “Russell Wilson was brought in for a reason, and that was to be their starting quarterback.”
He also added, given Fields’ preseason performance, “I don’t think Justin Fields has done anything to change their mind. There’s really no debate here on who will start for them unless Russell Wilson gets hurt.” Meanwhile, Fields has youth and growing insider support. According to SI.com’s Albert Breer on August 26, Fields has “real support” in the Steelers’ building. It’s like he’s the dark horse everyone’s secretly rooting for.
Dan Orlovsky added another layer to this QB lasagna on ESPN’s Get Up: “I would have started Justin Fields, but this was never a quarterback competition. We were bamboozled a little bit.” But here’s the catch – Mike Tomlin’s keeping mum. He’s waiting until next week to name his starter, turning this QB battle into the NFL’s version of The Bachelor. As Tomlin told NFL Media on August 24, “We’ve got three days of Steelers versus Steelers work and why not do it then?”
It’s anyone’s game, folks. One thing’s for sure – whether it’s Wilson or Fields under center come September 8 against the Atlanta Falcons, Steelers Nation is in for one heck of a ride. As former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said on The Pat McAfee Show, “I think they are going to want to run the football. It’s going to be a major part of what they want to do.” So, maybe the real winner here is the Steelers’ running back room?
