After a fierce battle all summer for the QB1 job between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Pittsburgh Steelers have decided who will lead the offense in the season opener.

Russell Wilson will be the starter in Week 1, via NFL on FOX's Jay Glazer. The veteran was the main man for the Denver Broncos across the last two seasons but struggled to find the success that was expected along with his mammoth contract, which led to the team releasing him.

Wilson signed with the Steelers in the spring while Fields was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Both signal-callers showed well this summer and there's no guarantee Russ will keep the starting job if he doesn't produce the goods.

The 35-year-old was always expected to have a small upper hand over Fields in the battle for the QB1 job, even though he had a calf injury early in training camp.

Can Russell Wilson get it done for the Steelers?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2) take the field for pre-game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium.
Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the Broncos letting him go, Russ improved significantly in 2023 compared to 2022. He threw for 3,070 yards and 25 touchdowns against just eight interceptions compared to 16 TDs and 11 picks the year before. While Wilson was sacked 45 times, that wasn't necessarily all his fault. Denver ultimately benched him for the final two games of the campaign.

Fields received a lot more playing time in preseason than Wilson, but the latter impressed in the final preseason contest with a scoring drive early in the first half. Only a few weeks ago, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear what happens in tune-up games matters most over camp:

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“Very much is a competition,” Tomlin said. “What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than what happens on the practice setting because it's more game-like.”

Wilson was 10 for 12 for 57 yards in preseason, while Fields completed 19 of 27 passes. Considering Fields' ability to run the football, it would be very surprising if he didn't get any playing time at all. This decision certainly makes sense considering Wilson's experience, though.

Forget the Broncos tenure. Russ was a stud with the Seattle Seahawks and he's now been in the league for 12 years. Wilson led the Hawks to a Super Bowl and has been selected to the Pro Bowl nine times. The Steelers need someone who can take charge of this offense and compete week in and week out in a tough division. He does give them the best chance at doing that right now.

Pittsburgh has made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons and finished with a 10-7 record in '23. Although they haven't got past the Wild Card Round since 2017, there is optimism they can flip the script. That being said, the Steelers' offensive line has to do a much better job at protecting the quarterback, which proved to be an issue in preseason. After all, Wilson and Fields were sacked over 120 times combined last season with the Broncos and Bears, respectively. That cannot happen again if this club is going to compete.

Wilson and the Steelers will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 on Sunday, September 8.