The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-2 this season with Justin Fields under center. However, with Russell Wilson fully healthy, it appears Head Coach Mike Tomlin could switch from Fields to Wilson this week when Pittsburgh takes on the New York Jets.

Multiple reports are considering this a quarterback change for the Steelers, but Tomlin’s press conference today made it much more fluid. He undoubtedly opened the door, but didn’t say Wilson would start for the Steelers this week, just that Wilson would get some first-team reps.

“(Russell Wilson) is being considered this week. We’ll see where that takes us,” Tomlin said.

Later in his press conference, Tomlin added: “I have to acknowledge that Russ proved his health last week, and we are looking forward to seeing him this week. It is for consideration.”

It appears the Steelers are considering a trade for Justin Fields

Fields started the first six games of the season for the Steelers, who are 4-2 after a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6. Still, the offense has been inconsistent, especially in the passing attack. Fields had fewer than 150 yards and a completion percentage of less than 60 percent over the past two weeks. Tomlin praised Fields, but made it clear that his performance at this point has not been good enough to win the job outright:

“Justin has been very good, and we have been very good at times, but not to be confused with great. This is a competitive league, man. We’re trying to position ourselves to be that team, and we have a player with talent who hasn’t had a chance to play yet, so we’re going to explore those things.

“Sometimes it has nothing to do with what Justin did or didn’t do. Justin has been an asset to us. Last week, for example, his ability to use his legs by design and by ad-lib was a key part of that game. He rushed for more than 50 yards and two touchdowns. … We are grateful for that. We are grateful for the way he handles the ball. But we only look at all the people at our disposal. The same way we do it in every position.”

Tomlin declined to name a starter, did not specify the timing or balance of this week’s first-team reps, and said a decision on his starting quarterback for their matchup with the Jets this week would come “closer to game time.”

And yet, Tomlin’s presser felt like the Bears had decided to move on from Justin Fields. He’s a dynamic playmaker with his feet who can do good things through the air, but not with enough consistency to be a solid starting quarterback in this league. Tomlin knows he has an experienced quarterback on the roster who may be able to provide his team with more consistency in the passing game and seems determined to explore that scenario.

As for Bears implications, Fields has started six games for the Steelers and would have to start more if he gets his share of 51 percent of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps this season, which would convert the conditional draft pick the Steelers sent the Bears . the trade for Fields this spring for a fourth-round pick.

Even if Tomlin turns to Wilson this week, Fields could still return to the starting role if Wilson doesn’t perform, allowing Chicago to still get the fourth-round pick.

Wilson hasn’t been his former self in recent seasons, but he wasn’t terrible during his two years in Denver. In 2023, he threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 98.0 passer rating while completing 66.4 percent of his passes.

If Wilson plays at that level, he will likely maintain the starting role for the rest of the season. However, if he falters, Fields could return to the starting role. With Pittsburgh at 4-2 and their sights set on the playoffs, whoever is under center will likely be on a short leash. So while Wilson may be in line for his starting success, this situation may remain very fluid as early as Sunday, especially for Bears fans in terms of the implications of the draft compensation.