PITTSBURGH — The Steelers are keeping their decision on who their starting quarterback will be on Sunday night a secret for at least one more day, but all signs continue to point to Russell Wilson making his Steelers debut against the Jets while Justin Fields moves to backup.

If that happens, it will be 301 days between starts for Wilson, the longest stretch between games without playing during his 13-year career. The last time Wilson started or played in a regular-season game was Christmas Eve of last season. In his final game with the Denver Broncos, he threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-23 loss to the Patriots.

It's been a challenging few months for Wilson, whose Steelers career to this point has been defined by a nagging calf injury. It's been 85 days since he first injured his calf during the team's conditioning test on July 24.

For Wilson, who had never missed more than two games in any of his first 12 NFL seasons, it's been a long journey to get to this point.

"I've never really missed games before," Wilson said. "That's been a challenge in itself. That's been disappointing, but also I've grown a lot, too. I've realized you continue to love every day. You continue to find ways to lead, to embrace the hard stuff, the obstacles in the way."

Neither quarterback has officially been told what their role will be against the Jets, but Fields blames himself for head coach Mike Tomlin contemplating a change.

"I don't think I've played good enough, if I'm being real with you," Fields said. "If I'm being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don't think there would be any sort of, 'Who should be playing and who shouldn't?'

"At the end of the day, we got a few wins. I'm glad about that, but there are areas I can be better at, and I'm going to continue to work on those."

The Steelers are 4-2 and tied atop the AFC North with the Ravens. Fields has excelled as a runner and has only committed two turnovers in the first six games of the season. The reason Tomlin could make a change, however, is the slumping passing game. The Steelers are 28th in the NFL in passing yards, averaging just 167 yards per game.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith appreciates Fields' self-criticism, but he spent a good portion of his 15 minutes with reporters Thursday morning praising the quarterback.

"Some guys are too hard on themselves," Smith said. "That's why he works so hard. Nobody wants to be a martyr. I've gone through it at times. You can't sleep on Sunday night when you lose. There needs to be that element to your game, always looking to be better.

"That's why you love working with Justin. That's real. That's not just some cliché that comes from a quarterback guru or something someone told him to say. All of these guys are hard on themselves. There is so much that goes into playing quarterback. The mental component, to me, is what separates the great ones from other starters in this league, and that's what he's pushing himself to be."

Smith did not say how much — if at all — Fields will be involved in the game plan if Wilson starts. "Let the Jets figure that out," he said.

But there is little doubt Fields is playing some of the best football of his NFL career as Tomlin considers the change. His 93.9 quarterback rating this season is by far the best of his career. He's completing 67% of his passes with five touchdown passes and only one interception. His best quarterback rating in any of his three seasons in Chicago was 86.3, which he accomplished last season.

But when compared to Wilson's lengthy resume, Fields' numbers don't stack up. Wilson has been a much more accomplished passer during his career. He averaged 232 passing yards per game during his first 12 seasons in the league with the Broncos and Seahawks.

Wilson's career quarterback rating is 100.0, and in his final season with the Broncos last season, it was 98.0.

"You guys focus so much on one player," running back Najee Harris said. "You guys are worried about the quarterback. I'm worried about all 11. Russ being out there, he has to do the same thing Justin has been doing. Justin has been doing a great job for us. I saw some comments Justin said. I think he did a really good job. We're all proud of him. Don't be so hard on yourself. We got your back. All 11 of us have to pitch in. We need both of them, for sure."

What the Steelers gain in the passing game with Wilson they could lose in the running game. Fields is fourth among all quarterbacks in rushing yards and leads the league with five rushing touchdowns. Wilson is not a statue at 36, but his best days as a scrambler are behind him.

"There's give and take," Smith said. "They're at different points in their career. No two players are ever the same. They're different players. Everyone has seen it. [Fields' running ability has] been a weapon for us. That's fine. You pivot and you lean into something else. That's my job."

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