PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The words out of Justin Fields mouth were of ‘it’s just another game’. The first-year Jets quarterback said he will be cool, calm and collected playing against the Steelers. Then he said something that may have you thinking otherwise.
“I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason,” Fields told the New York media Tuesday.
“The storyline is crazy. That’s why the NFL set us up for Week 1, just for that. It’s cool. It’s going to be fun going against those guys on Sunday.”
Fields said he considered going back to the Steelers and Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday they considered signing him back. Tomlin said it was free agency and Fields had a choice as well. The 26-year-old said he wanted to be a part of something special with Aaron Glenn and the Jets.
“It’s no storyline for me,” Fields said. “It’s ball for me. I’ll let you guys handle the storylines. In the locker room just keep it straight ball.”
Fields said he learned a lot from Russell Wilson and other vets during his one season with the Steelers. He said he ‘saw the game from a different perspective’. Now it’s about going to beat his old team on this hyped Week 1 game.
What he did notice right away is that the Steelers have a lot of new players on the defensive side of the ball. Fields said they can play differently than last year and typically unexpected things happen in the season opener. He said you can game plan as much as you want to, but your opponent can come out in something you’ve never seen. He believes the key to this game is who is better at adjusting.
“It’s about me playing efficient, me playing smart especially this coming Sunday,” Fields said. “I think they led the league in turnovers last year. Just continuing to get better each and every day, each and every week.”
Most believe Fields is going to attack with his feet, it’s what makes him unique. Tomlin praised his physicality as his news conference. He’s facing a Steelers defense without its number one pick along that defensive line and their captain who said he may not play Sunday.
Fields played against the Steelers once in his career, his rookie season throwing for 291 yards and rushing for 45 more in a 29-27 Bears loss at Acrisure Stadium. That 291 yards held up for nearly two years as a career best. Will the Jets surprise all and attack through the air?
It’s what makes Week 1 so intriguing.