Report: Russell Wilson will start vs. Jets, but Justin Fields will also play

Yes, Russell Wilson will start for the Steelers on Sunday night. And, yes, Justin Fields will play, too.

Wilson, who is recovering from a training-camp setback for his calf injury, got first-team reps this week. As receiver George Pickens said Friday, Wilson will begin.

But Fields, who started six games in Wilson's absence, will also playAccording to NFL Media.

It's an interesting dynamic, but it jibes with the messages the Steelers were sending before Wilson re-injured his calf in the days leading up to the regular-season opener.

A Justin Fields package was in the cards, but the team didn't want it to be a gimmick. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith used a Marcus Mariota package at Tennessee, after Ryan Tannehill claimed the starting job. And Mariota was on the field for a Derrick Henry jump pass that turned into a dagger in a win over the Ravens during the 2019 playoffs.

The Steelers want to play Wilson within the confines of the offense and resist the temptation to play hero ball. That temptation can be quite strong. Wilson turns 36 next month. And he says he wants to play until he's 45. Unless he performs like he did in his day with the Seahawks, no one will be clamoring to give Wilson the starting job for 2025.

In some ways, Wilson's career could be riding on the next two games. Both are against the New York team. Both win. Both will be in prime time.

Play well on the bye, and Wilson will be in good position to lead the Steelers through a stretch that includes playing the Commanders, Eagles, Chiefs — and the Ravens twice, the Bengals twice and the Browns twice. Struggles, and Fields could return to the starting lineup.

If/when Pittsburgh moves on from Wilson in the 2024 season, there's a good chance the rest of the league moves on in 2025.