Steelers' Justin Fields shares competition warning for Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields spoke with reporters on Tuesday and said he's not gifting the club's starting job to veteran Russell Wilson. 

"To be honest, I'm taking it day by day," Fields said about the situation, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "I'm definitely competing. I think Russ knows that we're competing against each other every day. Him being out there, for me, that helps me get better, us pushing each other. I mean, I definitely don't have the mindset of me just sitting all year, so I'm coming in every day giving it all I got." 

The Steelers altered their quarterback room this offseason when they signed Wilson to a team-friendly contract shortly before they acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick. Head coach Mike Tomlin previously insisted that Wilson was in the "pole position" to earn the job, but most reporters and team insiders expect Tomlin will let Fields compete for the role through at least a portion of the preseason. 

Pittsburgh declined the fifth-year option attached to Fields' rookie contract, meaning the club could part ways with the 25-year-old and Wilson next offseason. Fields indicated on Tuesday that he has a positive working relationship with Wilson even though the two will be on-the-field rivals over the next several months. 

"The first time I ever talked to Russell was when I was in college," Fields revealed. "We've known each other for a good bit now, and the fact that I get to learn stuff from him, the things he has accomplished up to this point in his career, has been great. So, just me learning the little details, how he's so meticulous and detailed within every rep, every individual drill, it just kind of makes me think like that's what I should be doing each and every time. I'm glad to have him here." 

As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Wilson fifth among the betting favorites at +1200 odds to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the upcoming season. DraftKings had Fields as a +4000 underdog regarding that particular honor, which suggests the outlet assumes Wilson will begin Week 1 as Pittsburgh's QB1 this September.