Justin Fields Focused on Winning, Not a Potential QB Controversy

Chris Ward |

Updated: Sep 12, 2024

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields came to Pittsburgh for one reason, and that’s to win. He’s not worried about the outside noise of a potential quarterback controversy between himself and Russell Wilson.

“I have a job and that’s to lead us to a win each and every week,” Fields said on Thursday. “We can have this debate on ‘who’s the starter, who’s not the starter.’ My main job is to go in there and go win the game. As long as I do that, I feel good.”

Justin Fields is expected to start against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, as Russell Wilson is still not healthy. Fields had only 2-3 days to prepare as the starter last week after Wilson aggravated his right calf injury during Thursday’s practice. Fields didn’t officially find out he would start until an hour and a half before kickoff.

Fields is glad to have a whole week of preparation this time around, but it really makes no difference for him.

“I come into every week with the same approach that I’m gonna play because I’d rather be ready and just have that mindset,” Fields said on having more time to prepare. “I guess it helps a little bit but it’s really the same process for me.”

Fields completed 17 of 23 passes (73.9%) for 156 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 91.9 in Sunday’s 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He also rushed for 57 yards on 14 attempts (4.1 average). Fields had an up-and-down performance, but he completed two deep passes to George Pickens (a 33-yarder and a 40-yarder) that resulted in two Chris Boswell field goals.

The 33-yard completion to Pickens right before halftime was a significant play in the game, as the defensive gave up a touchdown on the previous possession to allow the Falcons to take a 10-6 lead. Boswell nailed a 44-yard field goal to cut the Falcons’ lead to 10-9 at halftime.

Tomlin said “there was a lot of good” from Fields’ in his first start as the Steelers quarterback.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith gave props to Fields for taking care of the football against an opportunistic Falcons’ defense that has two ball-hawks at safety.

“I thought he was very disciplined,” Smith said. “He didn’t get greedy. When the shots were there, the opportunities were there, we took advantage of them. It’ll change week to week, but the way that game flowed, I thought he played really disciplined, which is why he had an efficient day.”

Fields had a shaky start against Atlanta but he performed better as the game went on. This week, he hopes the Steelers won’t have to rely on six Chris Boswell field goals to win.

“I think there’s a bunch of stuff to clean up.” Fields said. “Just being more accurate on my check downs, so guys like Najee (Harris) and Jaylen (Warren) can catch the ball and get downfield and do what they do best. I think there’s a bunch of stuff we clean up, minor things. And, of course, the biggest thing is scoring touchdowns. That four-point swing instead of settling for field goals.”

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.