In a surprising turn of events, it appears that the highlight of Russell Wilson's time as a potential Pittsburgh Steeler may be something as trivial as the “petty game ball.” Though Wilson was initially named the starting quarterback over Justin Fields during the preseason, bad luck struck when a calf injury sidelined him right before the season commenced.

Fields, who was acquired from the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round draft pick, has stepped into the starting role and performed admirably, leading the Steelers to a strong 2-0 record. With Wilson still recovering from injury, it seems Fields has solidified his position. “If Russ is healthy, I’m sticking with Justin,” former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stated on his podcast. “He has earned the right to stay there.”

At just 25 years old, Fields offers a brighter future for the Steelers as he has shown potential without taking unnecessary risks. In his first couple of games, he completed 30 of 43 passes for 273 yards and tossed one touchdown while adding another 84 yards on the ground. Crucially, he has maintained possession, not turning the ball over during the Steelers' victories over the Falcons and Broncos.

Roethlisberger expressed his approval of Fields’ performance: “So far, I like what I’ve seen. He’s getting the feel of it. If they were 1-1 or 0-2, I’d say we’ve got to make a change. But again, he’s not turning the ball over.”

Meanwhile, Wilson’s struggle continues. Still not cleared to return to action, he served as the emergency third-string quarterback for the Denver Broncos last week, a team that previously benched and ultimately released him. Despite the Broncos’ significant financial burden of carrying Wilson’s $85 million dead cap hit, he was honored with a “petty game ball” after the Steelers' 13-6 victory, a nod of dubious honor considering he didn’t play a single snap.

“It’s great that he got the win and the recognition,” said Fields, who can relate to an uncertain future after being replaced himself following the Bears' decision to draft Caleb Williams. “I know he wished he could have played, but it’s awesome getting a win for him.”

The prevailing question now remains: Will Wilson have an opportunity to reshape his Steelers narrative in the future? Or will he carry the burden of being a forgotten veteran if he ends up back in Pittsburgh with a different team?

As the Steelers prepare for their home opener against the Chargers, all eyes will be on Fields. With the prospect of Wilson’s return looming, the question of who will lead the team in the coming weeks hangs heavily in the balance. Will the 35-year-old Wilson reclaim his rightful place, or has a new era begun in Pittsburgh? Stay tuned as this situation continues to unfold!