Justin Fields Wants Steelers Starter Job: ‘I’ve Shown What I Can Do’
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are the only teams in the NFL who haven’t declared a starting quarterback yet. Russell Wilson appears to be in pole position, as Mike Tomlin confirmed that he’ll be the starter in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. Wilson has been the favorite to start since he signed with Pittsburgh in March, and it doesn’t seem like he’s in danger to be supplanted by Justin Fields.
“Of course, it’s something that I want, but at the end of the day I don’t make those decisions,” Fields said after Thursday’s practice when asked if he needs first-team reps. “That’s above my pay grade. I think that’s a question for Coach T.”
Fields is just focusing on what he can control in the Steelers quarterback battle.
“I think I’ve shown what I can do. I think the time that I did have with the 1s practicing in training camp, I think that went well. I think we grew a lot each and every day, but at the end of the day, it’s not up to me. I mean, I’m just going to come in here every day, each and every day, the same person, being a leader for this team and work my butt off, and everything else will be handled. …
“I try not to think about stuff that I can’t control. I try to think just about the stuff that I can control. I can’t control whether or not I’m gonna be named the starter. I can control how I come in every day and how I work every day and how I treat my teammates every day.”
Fields completed 11 of 17 passes for 92 yards in Saturday’s 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He also rushed for 42 yards. Russell Wilson played the first five series, completing 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards, and was sacked three times. Fields played the entire rest of the game, as the Steelers did not utilize Kyle Allen or John Rhys Plumlee at all.
“I’m not really going into any game expecting,” Justin Fields said when asked if he’ll play the entire second half like he did against Buffalo. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I kind of like it that way. I don’t like to say I’m gonna get this amount of drives. I kind of felt that I was going to stay in the last game. You never know how a game might play out.”
Justin Fields played in Chicago for three years, so Detroit will be a familiar opponent for him on Saturday.
“I have a lot,” Fields said of his memories of playing in Detroit. “Of course, I’m familiar with this team. With what they do schematically on the defensive side of the ball. I’m just excited to go in with a new group and see how we do.”
The first-team offense has scored zero points through two preseason games. Tomlin said that Wilson will not be limited in the amount of the playbook that Arthur Smith can call for him this week.
“I want to see him show some of the things that we’ve seen out here in the practice setting … we’ve had some really good days and shown a really high floor with the potential for splash plays,” Tomlin said on what he wants to see from Fields against Detroit.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
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