When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for Justin Fields, despite already having Russell Wilson on their roster, many fans were curious about how the quarterback situation in the Steel City would unfold. Wilson arrived at training camp, but sustained a calf injury during the conditioning test, creating significant opportunities for Fields to work with the starters.
Wilson was named the starter and team captain for the 2024 season, but his calf injury resurfaced just before Week 1. As a result, Fields stepped in as the starter for the last three games and has surprised many by leading the Steelers to a remarkable 3-0 start. While expectations suggested the Steelers would finish last in the AFC North, they now find themselves atop the division.
Fields has always been an exciting player, but he has struggled with turnovers throughout his career, recording 42 turnovers to date. However, in Pittsburgh, he has demonstrated improved ball security and a newfound confidence. NFL insider Mike Garafolo noted that Fields' performance has not only caught the attention of Steeler Nation, but has also impressed coaches across the league.
"Two things you hear about the Steelers," Garafolo said. "One, the skepticism that they can keep winning this way. The other that you hear from coaches around the league, 'When is Fields gonna start making some mistakes? He can't possibly keep playing this clean of football.' I don't know, he keeps doing it, and they're doing a great job of coaching it up and calling it. I think he can."
Garafolo highlighted that the most interesting feedback he has heard from coaches around the league is their surprise at how Fields has avoided the mistakes that plagued him during his first three seasons.
Fields has always possessed a strong arm and impressed pundits with his athleticism and rushing ability. The challenge has been making sound decisions and protecting the football.
So far, Fields has managed to do just that. While he experienced some early struggles with the snaps, it's difficult to determine who is fully to blame for those errors, especially since they didn’t result in turnovers.
He threw his first interception of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, but there is debate about how much responsibility he bears for the play. The pass was risky, thrown into traffic, but it was ultimately batted into the air. It's hard to place all the blame on Fields in that situation.
Steelers' Justin Fields Finally Has Efficient Support For The First Time In His Career
Many pundits have been both shocked and excited by Fields’ performance. So far, the Steelers have established a winning formula with him at quarterback. He hasn’t just looked respectable; he has been a key factor in keeping the Steelers’ offense in control of games.
Of course, the defense has also played exceptionally well, providing support that Fields hasn’t consistently had throughout his career—a true team effort across all areas of the game.
In terms of coaching, Fields finds himself in a significantly better situation. He has the benefit of the best defense in the league backing him up. While the wide receiver corps may not be overflowing with talent, players like George Pickens can make spectacular catches and change the momentum of a game in an instant.
Najee Harris has been a strong presence in the running game, and the offensive line has performed admirably. As Fields gains confidence, some are beginning to wonder if the Steelers have found their quarterback of the future.
