One player’s injury is another’s opportunity. Justin Fields was hit with unexpected news at the eleventh hour, around 6 a.m. ET Thursday morning. Fields, the Steelers’ backup quarterback coming into training camp, received a text message around that time notifying him that Russell Wilson would have to sit out the first practice, giving the former Chicago Bears starter and first round draft pick in 2021 some valuable and much needed reps with the starting unit.
It was not seamless, but it is fair to say that Fields passed his first test in a Steelers uniform with flying colors. With Wilson, who is being labeled as day-to-day with a calf injury observing from the sidelines, Fields was able to show off his athleticism, which is second to none, as well as his uncanny ability to hit the deep ball that included a strike to Van Jefferson, who was wide open after defensive back Donte Jackson slipped.
“I was trying to take advantage of each and every rep that I got today,” Fields told reporters afterward. “I got some good reps in today, for sure. … Looking forward to getting better tomorrow.”
Fields was not hesitant and let it rip right off the bat. He quickly launched a missel to his security blanket tight end Pat Freiermuth that was broken up after a good play by safety DeShon Elliott, who moments caved in Fields after coming in untouched on an outside blitz. Fields, however, was able to use his wheels and eluded Elliott and a number of other would-be tacklers before stopping, turning to his left and connecting with running back Jaylen Warren on a screen that turned into a significant gain.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlong with his deep completion to Jefferson, Fields threw a dart down the middle of the field to George Pickens, who raced down the field for a score. That completion came after Fields and Pickens were unable to link up on back-to-back passes that were deflected by Jackson, who had a solid practice despite the deep completion to Jefferson.
“It’s good to face some adversity and stuff that’s not expected,” Fields said about getting first-team reps on short notice. “We’re gonna face things in games that aren’t expected. It’s about how we react to those situations and how we adjust.”
Thursday’s practice defined Fields’ NFL career to this point. There were many occasions to speak of with the Bears when Fields played like the first-round pick he was out of Ohio State. But, on the other hand, there were also moments that left you scratching your head and led to unfulfilled expectations, expectations that No. 1 Caleb Williams is now undertaking in the Windy City.
With the Bears deciding to start over at the most important position on the field, quarterback, the Steelers wasted no time jumping at the chance to acquire Fields, who had one of his best games as a Bear against Pittsburgh during his rookie campaign, and only had to give up a sixth-round pick. What a bargain. Now, instead of taking the pressure on his shoulders that come along with being a franchise quarterback on a team that has not had one since Sid Luckman, Fields now gets to take a deep breath and focus on his game and how he can reach his potential.
Fields is also hoping to help the Steelers’ offense maximize their potential, too, after failing to do so the previous three years.
“We’re a team that can do a lot of things,” Fields said. “We have a lot of good players on offense. I think we can mix it up.”
