Steelers training camp is officially in the books, but the fun has just begun. One day after the final camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Mike Tomlin's team was back home at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh for their joint practice against the Buffalo Bills.
The Steelers are trying to find their footing after a sluggish preseason opener against the Texans. As they prepare to take on the Bills on Saturday -- the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year -- Coach Tomlin names a starting quarterback for preseason Week 2 and the offense balls out against Buffalo. Here's the latest Steelers news.
Russell Wilson named Steelers starting QB vs. Bills
Following Pittsburgh's joint practice with the Bills, Mike Tomlin fielded questions about the upcoming preseason game. He also offered an answer to the question we all wanted to know: who will start at quarterback in the Steelers' second preseason game?
After some prying, Tomlin confirmed that Russell Wilson will get the first look with the starting offense this Saturday against the Bills, ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports.
Russell Wilson will start vs. Buffalo Bills, Mike Tomlin says
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 15, 2024
The decision to greenlight Wilson means the former Pro Bowl quarterback is ready to go. His availability comes at a good time, as the Steelers will want to see what the veteran can show in the team's 'dress rehearsal' game in Week 2 of the preseason. Fields could also earn a few series with the starters but will come in after Wilson against the Bills.
Steelers' offense shows up vs. Bills in joint practice
The Steelers needed to see improvement on the offensive side of the ball after their preseason showing against the Texans and they got exactly that in their joint practice with the Bills. Though it was only a practice setting, Pittsburgh's quarterbacks converted often in seven shots and Justin Fields capped off his two-minute drill with a touchdown.
Now the Steelers need to carry this over to the preseason stage and show signs of life early. Pittsburgh scored zero first-half points against Houston in the exhibition opener last week.
George Pickens' future is secure in Pittsburgh
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade would have no bearing on George Pickens' future in Pittsburgh. Sources close to Dulac tell him the Steelers consider Pickens their No. 1 receiver and they 'intend to pay him accordingly'.
Based on this report, the Steelers would be willing to dish out money to both Aiyuk and Pickens if Pittsburgh was able to execute a trade with the 49ers.
Falcons beef up roster ahead of Week 1 matchup vs. Steelers
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the preseason, the Atlanta Falcons have been busy bolstering their roster ahead of their Week 1 home game against the Steelers.
After trading a future third-round pick for edge rusher Matt Judon, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed the Falcons have agreed to a one-year deal that will bring Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons to Atlanta.
These two roster moves are an effort to fix the biggest holes on the Falcons' roster ahead of the season opener. Now offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will have two more talented players to gameplan against when they travel to Atlanta for their first game of the season.