Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass during the NFL football team’s training camp in Latrobe, Pa., Thursday, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
LATROBE, Pa. – When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Justin Fields in March, their only expectation of the former Chicago Bears quarterback was that he would be competitive.
The Steelers don’t need the 25-year-old Fields as their new franchise quarterback, despite a void three seasons after two-time Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger retired. Instead, Fields is eager to learn behind Russell Wilson while pushing the nine-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl winner.
Fields will get his first chance to showcase his dynamic first-round talent when he starts in the Steelers’ season opener against Houston at Acrisure Stadium on Friday.
The trainers “I want to come out and be a leader for the team,” said Fields. “The most important thing is to take the lead on offense and carry the guys.”
Wilson injured his calf on the day of the Steelers’ training camp. For the opening game of the preseason, head coach Mike Tomlin decided to bench the veteran signal caller, who had a limited workload during practices at St. Vincent College.
“I just try to use every single rep I get to my advantage,” said Fields. “I know if (Wilson) wasn’t injured, I wouldn’t be in this position. These are opportunities for me and I’m trying to take full advantage of them.”
Fields has flashed the talent that led the Bears to draft the former Ohio State standout with the No. 11 pick in 2021, but he has also shown occasional inconsistencies in accuracy that played a role in the Bears’ decision to part ways with Fields and draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick this spring.
Tomlin is happy to have Fields in Pittsburgh.
“I think he just comes every day to compete,” said Tomlin. “He has an incredible competitive spirit. We have a competitive environment and he seems to enjoy it.”
Pittsburgh revamped its quarterback room in March, signing Wilson for the veteran minimum salary of $1.21 million after he was released by Denver. Kenny Pickett, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, asked to be traded after Wilson arrived, so the Steelers sent him to Philadelphia and acquired Fields from Chicago for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025. Pittsburgh later signed Kyle Allen and allowed Mason Rudolph (Tennessee) and Mitch Trubisky (Buffalo) to leave as free agents.
Wilson was listed as the starter and Fields as the backup on the team’s initial roster released this week. And while Tomlin has previously said that Wilson “Pole Position” However, he still classified it as a competition for the starting position at quarterback.
“Everything we do is an audition, not just for (Fields), but for others as well,” said Tomlin. “What happens in a stadium carries more weight than what happens in a training environment because it is more like a game.”
In Chicago, Fields went 10-28 with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions as a starter. Fields also ran for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns. Only Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton had at least 40 touchdown passes and 2,000 rushing yards in their first three seasons. In 2022, Fields had 17 touchdown passes and ran for 1,143 yards and eight scores for a team that finished 3-14.
Even if Wilson starts, Fields can help the defense prepare for Mobile Division quarterbacks like Jackson and Deshaun Watson.
“He is fast, that’s for sure,” Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith said of Fields. “I took a bad angle on him on a read option play and he got by me and scored a touchdown. He has unique talents, so he’s going to be a great asset for us.”
Fields recently described it as the toughest training camp he’s ever been through, but Fields is still happy to put three inconsistent seasons with the Bears behind him.
“I just try to control what I can control and work as hard as I can.” said Fields. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
