Justin Fields, Russell Wilson Jersey Numbers Revealed by Steelers After Rumors

The official jersey numbers of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were revealed on Thursday, with Fields taking No. 2 and Wilson getting No. 3.

Wilson has worn No. 3 for his entire NFL career, while Fields is going to switch numbers after he previously wore No. 1 in his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears.

It was originally reported (via David Kaplan of ESPN 1000 in Chicago) that Fields would switch to No. 5 in Pittsburgh, although it appears that he'll go with No. 2 on the Steelers instead.

Although Fields has used No. 1 dating back to his college days at Ohio State and Georgia, the number isn't common for Pittsburgh's players to wear. Although quarterbacks, kickers, and punters were the only positions permitted to wear single-digit jersey numbers prior to a rule change in 2021, a Steelers player still hasn't donned No. 1 since kicker Gary Anderson left the team in 1994.

Wide receiver George Pickens attempted to wear the number when he was drafted in 2022, although he revealed that he wasn't able to because "it's sacred or something like that" during an appearance on the Arthur Moats Experience with Deke podcast (via Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot).

As for Wilson, his choice to stick with No. 3 wasn't exactly a secret. He posted a video of himself opening up a box filled with Steelers jerseys that contained his old number on March 12, while his jersey number is listed on his social media profiles for Instagram as well as X.

The two signal-callers were both acquired by the Steelers in the 2024 offseason as the organization revamped the quarterback room. Wilson signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh as a free agent following his release from the Denver Broncos, while Fields was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears on March 16.

There may not be much of a training camp battle between the two players, as Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that head coach Mike Tomlin informed Fields after the trade that Wilson would be the starter in 2024.