Former Bears QB Justin Fields expected to start for Steelers in Week 1

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields got a fresh start with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being traded earlier this offseason. But he faced an uphill battle to secure the starting job considering the Steelers had already signed Russell Wilson to be the starter.

While Wilson was named the starter after a competition this summer, it sounds like Fields will see the field to open the 2024 NFL season.

Pittsburgh has officially listed Wilson as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Wilson is nursing a calf injury that could sideline him for the opener. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Fields is expected to make his Steelers debut and get the start against the Falcons.

It isn't necessarily the way Fields wanted to be named the starter, but he'll still get some game action. Fields will battle fellow former NFC North quarterback Kirk Cousins, who makes his Falcons debut.

Bears fans will certainly be monitoring the Fields situation as there's a draft pick at stake. When Chicago traded Fields to Pittsburgh, they received a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick that becomes a fourth rounder if he plays 51 percent of snaps in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Former Bears QB Justin Fields expected to start for Steelers in Week 1