ATLANTA — While Justin Fields may not have swayed Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to hand him the starting position, the young quarterback has certainly set a higher standard.

Fields stepped in for an injured Russell Wilson, leading his Steelers debut to an 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Although Fields didn’t throw a touchdown and only gained 156 passing yards,

Let’s pause on the controversy for now.

He managed to dodge major errors and did not turn the ball over, contributing to his team’s victory.

Time to stir up some controversy, folks.

“My goal is to win, whether that’s with 300 yards passing, 100 yards, or nothing at all,” Fields stated. “Winning is all that matters to me.”

The Steelers demonstrated a familiar formula for success, reminiscent of last season when they faced numerous offensive challenges. With T.J. Watt leading the charge, the Steelers defense disrupted Kirk Cousins’ debut with the Falcons, forcing three turnovers and two sacks. Kicker Chris Boswell was instrumental, scoring all points with six field goals, three of which came from over 50 yards. Najee Harris contributed a solid performance with 70 rushing yards.

This level of support is what you ideally want for a young, backup quarterback.

Additionally, this game held special meaning for Fields, 25, who grew up roughly 30 miles from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia. He had to secure numerous tickets for family, friends, and former high school buddies. Although he was uncertain about starting until pre-game warmups concluded due to Wilson’s questionable health, the atmosphere felt like home, especially with many Steelers fans in attendance.

Wilson aggravated his calf injury during practice, approaching the stadium with hopes of playing after securing the starting role in the summer. However, the decision ultimately wasn’t his to make.

“I’d prefer to handle short-term pain honestly,” Tomlin remarked. “There’s a lot of game ahead of us. I thought it appropriate to have healthy players on the field.”

“I was confident in both quarterbacks. I made it clear when I named Russ as the starter how comfortable I was with both. Hence, why not feel at ease playing Justin under these circumstances given Russ’s physical status?”

Even so, Tomlin has been cautious in downplaying any quarterback controversy, particularly as Fields showcased his talent during training camp and preseason while Wilson, 35, gradually shifted back to health.

When Tomlin was asked if Fields’ performance on Sunday impacted Wilson’s status, he curtly replied, “You can ask me that on Tuesday.”

It’s clear Tomlin is somewhat frustrated by the topic, but questions may persist, especially if Fields continues to provide reasons to wonder. Despite advocates suggesting Fields should have claimed the starting spot in training camp, he has not added fuel to the fire.

However, he did strengthen his case by effectively utilizing his mobility, scrambling out of precarious situations and accumulating 57 rushing yards on 14 attempts. He made a crucial 40-yard completion to George Pickens (six catches, 85 yards) with just seconds left before halftime that set up a field goal.

Fields has shown a professional demeanor, resisting opportunities to promote himself, even as he aspired for the starting role.

“Honestly, I’m not stressing about that,” Fields said, who was traded from Chicago in March for a conditional sixth-round pick as the Bears prepared to draft Caleb Williams with the top overall pick. “I just came here to win. So, in terms of who starts, that’s not my concern. Winning is the priority.”

Controversy? What controversy?

Fields mentioned that it was Wilson – not Tomlin – who told him he was starting after warmups on Sunday. This wasn’t unexpected news following Wilson’s recent setback, paving the way for Fields to take the first-team snaps.

“I always have to be prepared,” he noted. “I’ve been in this situation before. Anything can occur. My mindset is to stay ready.”

We’ll see how this unfolds throughout a lengthy season. Quarterback controversies often evolve based on outcomes, and for now, timing is crucial.

It’s uncertain if Wilson will recover in time to play in Week 2 when the Steelers head to Denver. Wilson joined the Steelers after being released by the Broncos despite them owed him $39 million in guaranteed salary.

Whether Wilson will have a chance for redemption against Sean Payton remains to be seen. Regardless of the outcome, the Steelers appear well-prepared with the

Alternative options exist, whether or not there’s a controversy over the quarterback situation.