PITTSBURGH — Since 2022, Justin 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.
With Fields being an exceptional runner, it will be interesting to see if the Pittsburgh Steelers create a run package for Fields or a red zone package like Robert Griffin III suggested if he doesn’t supplant Russell Wilson as the starter this summer.
“The @steelers should create a red zone package for Justin Fields and call it the “Field Zone Package”. They can utilize his dynamic ability with RPOs, boots, keepers and nakeds to stretch the defense while utilizing him and Russell Wilson to the fullest this year,” Griffin said.
“This year [Mike Tomlin] doesn’t have just one, but two dynamic quarterbacks that bring an element of playmaking with their style of play. So that’s what I wanna see the Pittsburgh Steelers utilize Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at the same time. How do you do it? You create a red zone package for Justin Fields. Allow him to use his athleticism and his running ability to punch in touchdowns.”
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees also wants to see Justin Fields used in a different way in Pittsburgh, and compared him to Taysom Hill.
“Justin Fields obviously has an incredible skill set and I’m excited to see how Pittsburgh uses him this year,” Brees said on the Dan Patrick Show. “I would actually envision a situation where it’s almost like a Taysom Hill-type package like we had in New Orleans. Russell Wilson is your starting quarterback, Justin Fields is getting seven to 10 snaps a game. How problematic would that be for a defense?
Fields said at the first day of OTAs that he has no intentions of sitting on the bench all year. So if he doesn’t beat Wilson out for the starting job, a special package could be prudent to keep him involved. The Steelers would be wasting an opportunity if they don’t utilize his skill set.
Wilson is on board with a special package for Fields also. He said at OTAs on Wednesday that he thinks it would “strike fear in defenses.”
Wilson and Fields have been competing against each other at OTAs. They’re also being leaders off the field. Wilson revealed that he and Fields took the offensive linemen out to dinner at the Capital Grille in downtown Pittsburgh to build camaraderie.
“We are competing every day, getting the ball in the end zone, making plays. The defense going back and forth,” Wilson said. “The energy is high. We have such a talented team and Coach (Mike) Tomlin does a great job at practice.”
Nick Farabaugh contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.