Who is Steelers backup quarterback? QB depth chart behind Russell Wilson
The Pittsburgh Steelers saw three different quarterbacks – Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph – start for the team during the 2023 NFL season. None of them returned to the team in 2024.
Pittsburgh completely overhauled its quarterback room during the 2024 offseason. It replaced its three incumbents with an eclectic group of quarterbacks headlined by veteran signal-caller Russell Wilson.
Wilson joined the Steelers after a rough two-year stretch with the Denver Broncos but still became Pittsburgh's starter. He missed the first six weeks of the season with a calf injury but upon returning to action looked more like the quarterback who enjoyed a decade of success with the Seattle Seahawks.
However, in recent weeks, Wilson has struggled to consistently connect with his receivers. The 36-year-old will remain Pittsburgh's starter entering the 2025 NFL playoffs, but it isn't clear exactly how long his leash will be, especially with the team on a four-game losing streak entering the postseason.
Who is Wilson's backup quarterback? Here's what to know about the Steelers' quarterback depth chart as Mike Tomlin looks to lead the team to its first playoff victory since the 2016 postseason, which was played in 2017.
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Who is Steelers backup QB?
Justin Fields is the Steelers' backup quarterback behind Russell Wilson. Pittsburgh acquired the 2021 first-round pick from the Chicago Bears during a 2024 offseason trade, and he started the Steelers' first six games when Wilson was sidelined.
The results were solid. Fields posted a 4-2 record while completing 66.5% of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception. He also added 231 yards on 55 carries.
Tomlin still went to Wilson because he felt like there was room for improvement with Pittsburgh's offense. The move initially paid off – the 36-year-old led the team to a 6-1 record over his first seven starts – before the Steelers' late-season skid before the playoffs.
Since returning to the bench, Fields has occasionally entered the game in run packages. He has seven carries for 58 yards across four appearances and failed to complete his only pass during that span. He has not appeared in a game since Dec. 15, but he could see a little action in the postseason even if Wilson remains healthy.
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Steelers QB depth chart
The Steelers have three quarterbacks in their organization, all of whom are on the team's 53-man roster. Below is the pecking order among the trio:
Russell Wilson
Justin Fields
Allen is the Steelers' emergency third-string quarterback but has dressed as the team's backup when either Wilson or Fields has been out of the lineup. The 28-year-old has a 7-12 record as an NFL starter and completed his only pass during the 2024 NFL season for 19 yards.
Allen hasn't started a game since he was with the Houston Texans in 2022 and hasn't won a start since his time with the Washington Football Team in 2020.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers QB depth chart: Who is Russell Wilson's backup?