PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Knowing Russell Wilson was named starter last week, Justin Fields was going through individual drills with the other quarterbacks Thursday, when he saw Wilson decided he felt some tightness. Just like that, Fields could start the season opener.
Fields said he will prepare as if he will be the starting quarterback.
That comes with the caveat that he always prepares to start, no matter if he's listed as the back-up or not.
"I remember my third game, rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds," Fields said Friday. "It looked like a normal play and he tweaked his knee. Right then and there I was in. So, I always prepare like I'm a starter. You just never know what can happen."
It seemed as if Russell Wilson's injury was behind him. Occurring the first day of training camp pushing a sled during conditioning tests. He had come back and taken over the first-team reps and played in the last preseason game. There was no hint of this, until Thursday afternoon.
Fields is no stranger to the Steelers first team unit, not only in the odd times where he has subbed in recently, but for over two weeks in training camp in Latrobe, he was the quarterback leading the first team 11-on-11 drills.
"Me talking to the guys in the huddle," Fields said of how that helps now. "Me getting reps with GP (George Pickens), Van (Jefferson), Calvin (Austin), Scotty (Miller) and those guys. The coaches do a great job of rotating, so you are pretty much going to get reps with all the players on offense. We all feel very comfortable playing with each other."
The fourth-year quarterback said the game plan would remain the same if he starts, even though he acknowledged that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will talk to him about plays he is comfortable with, but he said that happens every week.
Nine days ago, head coach Mike Tomlin made official what most knew, and probably Fields realized inside, that Wilson would be the Steelers starting quarterback.
"That's the thing, you really can't ride the wave of emotions," Fields said. "You got to keep feelings out of it. My job is to be the best player I can be for this team. My job is to be here for the team and do whatever I can to make us successful."
Fields said he's always been mellow and chill, since he was a kid. He admits he's naturally shy and said he remembers how he couldn't even get through saying his name for high school recruiting videos.
"The goal is the stay humble and do your job", Fields said of how he goes about things.
Fields said he process won't change, although obviously everything would if he starts Sunday in Atlanta. He believes he's in an offense that will showcase his skills.
"I think it fits it well," Fields said. "Arthur has been in multiple offenses and has played with different style quarterbacks. Quarterbacks that can run and quarterbacks that aren't so great with their legs. It's more the play calling and how he dials it up for us."
It seems as though the Steelers may have been looking for Fields as the quarterback for 2025, but he likely could be starting the opener in 2024.
