When Justin Fields arrived at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ headquarters, some wondered if the former first-round pick would be competing with Russell Wilson for the starting quarterback job. Despite Fields’ potential, this came as a surprise, considering Wilson has already shown an ability to play at an elite level, even winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.
Then Mike Tomlin came along and stated that Wilson would be the Steelers’ starting QB, receiving the first-team reps when training camp opens later this fall.
But now Fields is making a different statement: He is actually competing to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback this year.
“I’m definitely competing. I definitely don’t have the mindset of me just sitting all year. I’m coming in every day, giving it all I’ve got. I’m pushing (Wilson) to be his best, and he’s pushing me to be my best each and every day.”
Justin Fields on competing for Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting QB job
Justin Fields said he’s “definitely competing.. Russ knows that. We’re competing against each other every day.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 21, 2024
“I definitely don’t have the mindset of me just sitting all year.” pic.twitter.com/pzI9rj5ldi
Whether this is simply something Fields is saying to let it be known that he, as he said, has no plans of “sitting all year,” or if the Steelers are leaving the door open to some sort of QB competition remains to be seen.
While the Steelers expect Wilson to return to Pro Bowl form, there’s a reason why the Broncos moved on from the 35-year-old QB. He’s not getting any better, but Pittsburgh believes Arthur Smith can get more production than the Steelers got from Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph.
Yet, if Fields, who’s still just 25, can come closer to living up to his draft slot as the 11th overall pick in 2021, then the Steelers would likely gladly accept that too, giving them a quarterback for now and in the future. Both players are on one-year contracts, so it’s now or never in Pittsburgh.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2024: From Patrick Mahomes to Gardner Minshew