The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the handful of undefeated teams remaining in the NFL. Their defense has yet to allow more than 10 points in a game, and the offense is slowly but surely becoming more explosive and reliable.

Specifically, Justin Fields is emerging as a quarterback the Steelers can count on to make the big plays. Fields connected with Calvin Austin over the middle on a tight window throw for a 55 yard score to ice the game and get Pittsburgh their third consecutive win. And while it appears logical to name Fields the starter, head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t quite ready to do that.

“There’s no need [to name a starter],” Tomlin said. “I explained to you the variables of the week. It has not changed. He’s going to walk in this building with that mindset tomorrow, and so really, there’s no need to. Sometimes in this business, man, there’s a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made. I’ve learned to make ‘em when it’s appropriate and it’s not necessary as we sit here right now, when Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I’ll make it and I’ll announce it and I’ll be really transparent about it, but until then, I don’t care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making the decision that’s unnecessary at this juncture.”

Mike Tomlin's full answer when asked why he hasn't named Justin Fields the starter going forward:

“Because there's no need. I explained to you the variables of the week. It has not changed. He's going to walk in this building with that mindset tomorrow, and so really, there's…

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 24, 2024

If Fields has another good performance against the Colts and Pittsburgh goes to 4-0, or even if they lose a tight game and Fields plays well, it’s hard to argue that they shouldn’t outright say he is the starter moving forward.