Justin Fields Opens Up on Being Benched By Steelers
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields reflected on his one season with the Steelers last year during his New York Jets introductory press conference on Wednesday. It was a tumultuous season for Fields, as he started off 4-2 as the team’s starter before being benched for the rest of the year in place of veteran Russell Wilson.
Fields handled the benching like a true professional, but it wasn’t easy for him.
“It was different for me and a space I wasn’t really comfortable. But Coach Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team,” Fields said, via Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic. “I’m never going to go against that. I just tried to change my perspective and get better in practice.”
Fields threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception while leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start to the season. He also rushed for 231 yards and five touchdowns during the span.
Wilson, on the other hand, threw for 1,784 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions while going 6-1 before the team’s late-season collapse.
Despite the setback last season, Fields was grateful for his one year with the Steelers organization.
“I did what I was asked to do, and I’ve never had a problem with that. I’ve always been a team player, I’ve always been advocating on putting myself behind the team,” Fields said. “I’m not gonna get too much into depth on what happened in Chicago and what happened last year with Pittsburgh, but I’m grateful for all the experiences that I’ve had. I’ve met a lot of great people there, built a lot of great relationships that will last a lifetime. Of course the more time you have in the league, the more experience you have, so I think I’m progressing and getting better each and every year, so I’m excited to get things rolling this year.”
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets in free agency, spurning an opportunity to return to Pittsburgh.
In an interview with the Jets’ official team website last month, Fields revealed why he signed with Gang Green.
“I think, No. 1, coach (Aaron) Glenn,” Fields told newyorkjets.com reporter Ethan Greenberg. “I’ve played against him early in my career. I know how passionate he is about the game, the way he coaches, the way his players play. So I think that was the biggest thing for me. And just the opportunity, the fans, of course, the city. When you win here, there’s no better place to win. Those reasons are ultimately why I ended up here.”
Fields, who played in Chicago for three years before spending last season with the Steelers, used to play Aaron Glenn’s Detroit Lions’ defensive unit twice a year in the NFC North. Glenn was the Lions defensive coordinator before being named the Jets head coach earlier this offseason.
“Our relationship playing against each other means a lot because Detroit, of course, they’ve had a lot of success the past couple of years,” Fields said. “So for him to want me here is definitely an honor, and I’m going to put it all on the line for him and do all I can to help this team be successful.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Steelers offered Fields a contract similar to the Jets’ offer, but he chose the Jets over the Steelers.
“Look, last week or a week and a half ago, they put together an offer for Justin Fields that I was told was very competitive with what the Jets offered him, which was two years 40 million with 30 million guaranteed,” Fowler said on the Dan Patrick Show. “Something went off where he chose the Jets and he must have felt the love more from the Jets than he did the Steelers who essentially benched him last year for Russell Wilson. So he gets a fresh start. I do believe they were all in on Fields. I don’t know if they had Fields ahead of (Aaron) Rodgers, but they were willing to do Fields. Like both sides at one point were open to it. It didn’t work.”
Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano believes the Jets got a bargain in the Chicago Bears’ former No. 11 overall draft pick.
“Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold and Derek Carr all have contracts that average more than $33 million per year,” Manzano wrote last Friday. “That’s a lot more than Fields’s deal with the Jets. Yes, he’s an inconsistent passer, but the same can be said for most quarterbacks who aren’t in the top tier of the position, including the erratic trio named above. But one thing’s for sure about Fields: He’s an electrifying athlete who can make plays with his arm and legs.”
The Steelers play the Jets at MetLife Stadium in 2025. Fields is slotted to be the Jets’ starting quarterback.
When asked what his reaction would be if the Jets drafted a quarterback, Fields responded, “Not really interested in rhetorical questions. I’m willing to teach, but I’m not really interested in rhetorical questions.”