Mike Tomlin's second quarterback battle since Ben Roethlisberger was around has been an interesting one. And for just the second time in his 17-year career as head coach, Tomlin has two quarterbacks with legit potential to start at training camp (if you count Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett as legit).

Only the veteran-most of this duo -- Russell Wilson -- sustained a calf injury before he even took his first snap. Wilson's unfortunate accident gave way to first-team reps for Justin Fields. It offered an opportunity for Tomlin to see far more of Fields than he initially anticipated and for the former first-round pick plenty of work to narrow the gap in his competition with Wilson.

Three weeks remain until the Steelers' first 53-man roster depth chart, and, knowing Tomlin will use most -- if not all of it -- before publicly revealing his decision on who starts the 2024 season.

Tomlin may have made that decision internally, at least heavily favoring one. If not, his decision should be easy.

Wilson is a proven veteran who should elevate the Steelers offense to levels it hasn't seen since Roethlisberger. But just how long will that last? He's done some great things in his dozen years in the league, but he is past his prime, like Roethlisberger, most recently when he was still quarterbacking. Wilson turns 36 in November on his NFL deathbed.

Fields is on the opposite end of the spectrum. At 25, he's still 15 months younger than Pickett and, overall, far ahead of where Pickett may ever be. He's the perfect quarterback specimen for Arthur Smith and Tom Arth to mold. And with youth on his side, should Fields succeed in Pittsburgh, the Steelers will have their next franchise quarterback.

Thanks to the Denver Broncos, Wilson is earning $39 million (plus the vet $1.2 million minimum from Pittsburgh) this season. Wilson should be so lucky to ride the pine while making that kind of money, especially if he wants to continue playing in the NFL beyond this season. Fresh legs are valuable for an aging mobile quarterback who may want to end his career with journeyman status.

If you were Mike Tomlin, who would you choose to start the season? Let us know in the comments below.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Mike Tomlin should have easy decision in Steelers QB battle