Lions HC Dan Campbell Happy to See Justin Fields Out of Division
Justin Fields didn’t have much success in Chicago, posting a 11-29 record in three seasons, but Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is glad that the elusive quarterback is in Pittsburgh and he doesn’t have to prepare for him twice a year anymore.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s nice to have Fields out of that division,” Campbell told reporters Tuesday at the NFL owner’s meetings.
The Steelers acquired quarterback Fields from Chicago for a sixth-round pick in 2025 that could potentially turn into a fourth if Fields plays 51% of the snaps in 2024. Many thought Fields would go for at least a second or a third-round pick.
The trade was considered widely as a heist by Steelers general manager Omar Khan. At least four other teams were interested in Fields, but he made it clear that he wanted to be traded to the Steelers, and the Chicago Bears did right by him.
Fields took a small step forward in 2023, his third year as Chicago’s starting quarterback. The Ohio State alum threw 370 times, completing 227 for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions and maintained an 86.3 passer rating and a 5.29 adjusted net yards per attempt.
In 2022, he was 192 of 318 for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, an 85.2 quarterback rating and 4.63 adjusted net yards per attempt.
Since 2022, Fields has the most rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,800 yards and 6.3 yards per carry. Both figures are higher than Lamar Jackson’s.
Campbell has praised Fields in the past. This wasn’t the only time. In December, he raved about Fields’ year-to-year development.
“Listen, he’s dangerous,” Campbell said. “He’s one of these rare, dangerous players, and I’ll tell you what, he’s done a really good job of, from last year to this year, is if it’s a pass and he starts to move, he’s still moving with eyes down the field much more than I felt like he had previously, and that’s extremely dangerous because even in Minnesota, he had two or three receivers wide open after he had kind of run, found a way through, broke contain and all of a sudden he gets an explosive pass off of it. He is dangerous, and everything starts with him for us defensively and containing these guys.”
In five total games against the Lions, Fields threw for 843 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 450 yards and three more touchdowns. Overall, Fields was 3-3 against Detroit.
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