George Pickens George Pickens inadvertently revealed Russell Wilson will start at quarterback for the Steelers Sunday. (Brooke Pryor on X.)

Pittsburgh Steelers fans and the NFL community have spent this week trying to figure out who the team is starting at quarterback Sunday against the New York Jets.

Everyone finally got confirmation on the starter Friday afternoon. Yet the news did not come from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, or quarterback Justin Fields, who started the first six games, The news didn’t come from Russell Wilson, who was expected to be the starter this season but has been injured and is now ready to play.

No Steelers beat reporter or NFL insider broke the news. No, the scoop on the Steelers quarterback decision came from wide receiver George Pickens, who nonchalantly dropped the news during an interview.

Pickens told reporters he’s been working more than usual this week with Wilson, “because this is his first start.”


Thank you, George Pickens, for answering the question on everyone’s mind. Reporters once again got nothing out of Tomlin on the matter Friday. A reporter asked him point blank, “Are you ready to name a starter?”

“I am, but I’m going to keep that in house,” Tomlin said.


The decision on whether Wilson or Fields would get the call has generated great debate among NFL fans and media, but NFL insiders had come up blank.


Now Pickens has let the secret out.

[Brooke Pryor on X]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.