PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – You look at the Steelers depth chart, Russell Wilson is listed as the starting quarterback. You see the team on the field for much of July 25 onward, it’s Justin Fields’ team. Both first-year Steelers, Fields said he’s just here to do his job. He’s not concerned about charts or his future right now.
“You know, as I always say, we don't know if we're going to get tomorrow,” Fields said. “So, I'm only worried about today, and I know this week that I'm up to start for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that's all I'm focused on.”
But how about being listed as the second-string quarterback on the depth chart on the team website?
“A listing on a computer site?” Fields said. “No, I’m good.”
It’s a microcosm for how he’s handled this situation. It’s one that could have been tricky from the beginning, but has never been an issue. He just goes about his business, no campaigning, no bragging, no burner account on social media. So far, he’s just been here to play football and has led the Steelers to a 3-0 start.
It’s not to say he’s satisfied.
“Looked alright,” Fields said of the performance against the Chargers. “Looked pretty good. Still some room to improve, some stuff to get better at.”
What he wants to see from the offense is staying on schedule on first and second downs, always try to have a manageable third down. They want to eliminate negative plays and he puts it on himself to do that.
“I think I'm pretty comfortable,” Fields said of working with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “I think that comfortableness or confidence is growing each and every week, but I think I've been comfortable for a while. But of course, the more in-game reps you can feel and get definitely brings more confidence to anybody and everybody who's out there.”
One other area that hasn’t been mentioned where Fields wants to improve. He said he needs to get his legs going a little bit. He only rushed for six yards against LA, although five of those came as he scored the Steelers first touchdown.
He’s still looking to get the ball downfield, but maybe just make a splash play or two himself, running it, especially this week with their most explosive running back Jaylen Warren out.
Overall, a good, even if unexpected, starting partnership between Smith and Fields through three games.
“I do think it helps anybody in any job are the reps,” Smith said of Fields. “As you're winning you can see quarterbacks in this league, their confidence growing.”
Smith referred to Fields time in Chicago where he was a young player and having the ball placed in his hands to go make plays. There are also comparisons with rookie quarterbacks this year where you are dropping back 45, 60 times. He said that’s tough for any quarterback and was tough for Fields.
The coaches, and players as well, believe the offense is getting in sync which will open up more opportunities for the fourth-year QB.
“He's doing a really nice job,” Smith said.
Whether he’s listed as the starter or not.