Justin Fields Has Big Plays, Inconsistencies At Steelers Camp
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields was surprised early Thursday morning to learn that he would take all the reps with the first-team offense on the first day of Steelers' training camp. Mike Tomlin decided to hold Russell Wilson out for the time being with a sore calf muscle. "I decided to sit (Wilson) down today and create a little short-term discomfort for him, not allowing the small problem to become a bigger problem," Tomlin said. He characterized Wilson as day-to-day. Meanwhile, Fields looked sharp during portions of Thursday's practice and, at other times, looked like someone still trying to figure it out. The Steelers shocked the world when they brought in both Wilson and Fields this offseason, and a bit of a quarterback competition would probably do them both some good. Wilson -- if healthy -- appears to be locked in as Pittsburgh's starter, but this will be a situation to monitor all the way up until Week 1.
The Athletic's Mark Kaboly doesn't think that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is going to beat out Russell Wilson or replace him in 2024 unless Wilson implodes, which is difficult to imagine happening. Kaboly also thinks Fields is playing /practicing for 2025 and down the road. He still has to work on his fundamentals, but the talent remains undeniable, especially his legs and his arm strength. The Chicago Bears' future first-round pick can be the Steelers' future franchise signal-caller, even if he doesn't play a down this season. The 25-year-old's rushing ability is top-notch, but his accuracy is going to need to improve at some point if he wants another chance as a starter in the NFL after Wilson's days are done in Pittsburgh. Unless Wilson tanks or gets hurt, Fields won't be on the fantasy radar in single-QB leagues in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers former first-round quarterback Justin Fields still has plenty of talent, but he has lots of obstacles to overcome for an opportunity in his first year in the Steel City in 2024 with veteran Russell Wilson in front of him. Fields didn't get many first-team repetition in offseason practices. His arm strength, speed and playmaking abilities with his legs are undeniable, but he showed inconsistent accuracy and relied on his feet too quickly after his first read during offseason workouts. The 25-year-old signal-caller is still a work in progress and is going to start the year as Wilson's backup. Fields should still be rostered in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but unless Wilson is eventually benched or misses time in 2024 due to injury, Fields' fantasy stock in single-year leagues is at an all-time low.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said he won't return kicks this season. "Nah, I think everybody kind of interpreted it wrong," said Fields when asked about the rumor. "It's funny how serious social media takes everything." The signal-caller was traded in March after spending the last three years in Chicago. He finished his most recent season in 2023-24 by throwing for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine picks while running for 657 yards and four touchdowns off 124 attempts. Fields hopes to compete with Russell Wilson for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. However, unless he's starting come Week 1, he won't offer much to fantasy managers.
Justin Fields Says He's "Definitely Competing" With Russell Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said he's "definitely competing... Russell Wilson knows that. We're competing against each other every day." I definitely don't have the mindset of me just sitting all year." Head coach Mike Tomlin said the veteran Wilson will be in pole position to start under center in Week 1 this fall. However, Fields could certainly find himself starting for the Steelers sooner than later in 2024 if Wilson looks more like he did in a disastrous first year for the Denver Broncos in 2022. Because of the fact that Fields is fully expected to be holding a clipboard on the sidelines to begin the season, it will be hard to recommend him as anything more than a QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues with high-end upside if he ends up winning the starting job eventually. The 25-year-old former Bears QB will be a free agent after the 2024 season after having his fifth-year option declined.
Steelers Decline Fifth-Year Option On Justin Fields
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially declined the fifth-year option on quarterback Justin Fields. This is not a surprise, as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has been disappointing to start his career and was recently dealt from the Chicago Bears to the Steelers for a conditional sixth-round pick. The expectation is that Russell Wilson will be the Week 1 start for Pittsburgh in 2024, but Fields could be waiting in the wings if he struggles like he did in Denver. It will be interesting to see how much of a chance Fields gets to show what he can do with a change of scenery. If he plays in at least a handful of games and exceeds expectations, he could improve his market value and hit free agency next offseason.
Steelers Not Expected To Pick Up Justin Fields' Fifth-Year Option
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't expected to pick up quarterback Justin Fields' $25 million fifth-year option, according to league sources. The Steelers acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears last month for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. Fields and Russell Wilson will now both be entering the last year of their contracts in 2024. Wilson is fully expected to open the 2024 campaign as the starter under center for Pittsburgh, but if he falters, Fields will get a shot to prove that he belongs with the Steelers beyond this season. The 25-year-old showed some improvement late last year with Chicago, but it wasn't enough to keep him as the franchise signal-caller in the eyes of Bears brass. Fields' fantasy stock is obviously way down entering next season, but he could become a high-upside waiver-wire pickup if Wilson is benched.
The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. Based on playing time, the sixth-round pick can become a fourth-round selection. With Fields shipped to Pittsburgh, the Bears are set to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It becomes an interesting situation in Pittsburgh with Fields joining Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers this offseason. The 25-year-old threw for 2,562 yards and a 16:9 TD: INT ratio while rushing for 657 yards and four scores over 13 games for the Bears in 2023. The Steelers are down to Wilson and Fields on the quarterback depth chart after trading Kenny Pickett to the Eagles and Mason Rudolph signing with the Titans via free agency. Whoever wins Pittsburgh's quarterback battle between Fields and Wilson is a serviceable QB2 in superflex leagues, with Fields having a higher ceiling between the two signal callers.
Steelers Not Interested In Justin Fields Or Russell Wilson
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not interested in signing quarterback Russell Wilson when he's released by the Denver Broncos next week, according to a source familiar with the Steelers' coaching staff's feelings on Wilson. In addition, the Steelers are not among the teams actively working to trade for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields, according to league sources. Pittsburgh also isn't pursuing Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in free agency. The fact that they aren't courting a veteran starter to supplant Kenny Pickett lends more credence to general manager Omar Khan's statement that he has "full faith" in Pickett despite his mediocre first two seasons in the league. The Steelers may add another signal-caller in the draft, but it appears that they are hopeful that new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can unlock something in Pickett in 2024.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the likely teams left in the sweepstakes for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders. Unless the Bears wait for Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent Kirk Cousins to sign, they might just take the Steelers' best offer in a trade. However, the Raiders, in their attempt to upgrade the QB position over Aidan O'Connell through free agency, the draft or a trade, can't be ruled out. The Raiders still have All-Pro wideout Davante Adams, but RB Josh Jacobs is a free agent and may not return, which could give Fields limited options if he joins the Raiders. It will most likely take a second- or third-rounder to land Fields, who still has plenty of QB1 upside in fantasy because of his elite rushing ability. However, to take the next step, the 24-year-old needs to improve his field vision and passing accuracy. At this point, it would be a surprise if Fields isn't playing somewhere other than Chicago in 2024.
