PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Maybe the first telling sign about why the Steelers didn’t sign Justin Fields is when head coach Mike Tomlin started talking about the Jets offense, he first mentioned the running backs and the running game and then how Justin Fields worked into that challenge.
He never directly discussed Fields ability to throw, just how he’ll look for Garrett Wilson.
Tomlin called the Jets starting quarterback’s talents as a runner ‘unique’. He said Fields is stronger than most mobile quarterbacks. He’s really talented physically, not easy to bring down with a solid base and big. Tomlin said the Jets don’t do anything schematically that they don’t see in other running quarterbacks and they face the best in the last decade twice a year in Lamar Jackson.
So why not sign the 26-year-old Fields when you had the opportunity before free agency? There was no one blocking him and he was the youngest of the options.
Fields did go 4-2 as the Steelers starter completing a career-high 66% of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 289 yards and five more touchdowns in his only season in Pittsburgh.
“You know, it's free agency,” Tomlin said. “It was not only our decision, it was his decision, and so it was mutual. There's a lot of moving parts in free agency.”
Instead, the Steelers cleaned out their quarterback room and went with Aaron Rodgers, bringing back Mason Rudolph as insurance and Will Howard as one in development.
Is there concern about facing a quarterback that knows your system having played for you last year?
“Not really, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “I just think it's a lot of that in today's game. People move around. I'd imagine they're pondering similar things on the other side, and so from that perspective, it'll be fair.”