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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has kept fans and analysts guessing about who will start as quarterback against the New York Jets. Despite keeping his final decision "in-house," Tomlin’s pick for Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium seems to have been inadvertently revealed. Wide receiver George Pickens disclosed on Friday that he has been putting in extra practice time with Russell Wilson, indicating the veteran quarterback might get the nod over Justin Fields.

Pickens specifically mentioned working more closely with Wilson "because this is his first start," suggesting a pivotal shift in the Steelers' quarterback lineup. These additional practice sessions hint that Wilson, who has been battling back from a calf injury since March, is ready to return to action.

The possibility of Wilson starting isn’t surprising considering Tomlin previously described him as being in "pole position" for the job earlier this year. Health concerns had kept him off the field, but now fully recovered, Wilson might make his first start since December 2023.

Justin Fields, who has seen a dip in performance recently, seemed prepared for this potential change. Fields admitted this week that improved personal performance might have solidified his place as the starter. "If I'm being real with you," Fields said, "I don't think I played good enough. If I did play well enough, there would be no debate about who should be playing."

The Steelers, with a 4-2 record, are tied with the Baltimore Ravens at the top of the AFC North. Despite starting the season strongly, Fields’ recent stats have faltered, with under 150 passing yards in each of the last two games and a 57% completion rate during that period.

Tomlin recognized Wilson's seasoned experience as a factor influencing his decision. He noted that while Fields has shown promise, the competitive nature of the league necessitates exploring other options. "Justin has been really good, but not to be confused with great," Tomlin remarked. "We got a player with talent who hadn't had an opportunity to play, so we're going to potentially explore those things."

Looking ahead, the Steelers face the New York Giants next, followed by a bye week. They will then gear up to play against the Washington Commanders and the Baltimore Ravens. With Wilson likely back in play, the team hopes to solidify its position at the top of the division.