Tomlin: Falcons ‘Better Be Ready’ for Justin Fields
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin named Russell Wilson as the team’s starting quarterback on Wednesday, but he made it clear in an interview with Rich Eisen that there will be a special package for Justin Fields this season.
Tomlin even put it out there that his longtime friend Raheem Morris and the Atlanta Falcons better be ready for Fields in the season opener.
“My friend Raheem Morris better be ready for a Justin Fields package,” Tomin told Eisen. “I don’t want to disclose any strategic approaches, but there’s too much talent to be sitting around watching.”
Tomlin said after Wednesday’s practice that Fields’ unique talent in terms of mobility is something that Steelers are open to weaponizing. 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.
“Man, his athleticism is freaky,” Tomlin said. “I’ve seen the highlights and things of that nature. Being an AFC coach, you don’t always get a chance to feel it. To see some of the things he’s capable of doing on a football field was really exciting.”
Russell Wilson is onboard for a special package for Fields.
“I think that, obviously, Justin’s ability to find the end zone, over the years, I’ve been able to score a lot of touchdowns, him as well. Listen, whatever it takes to find another touchdown in there,” Wilson said when asked if he’d encourage a Fields package.
Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith both raved about Fields’ talents at training camp earlier this month.
“He’s a dangerous football player with the ball in his hands,” Smith said. “It allows you to get creative. Maybe you change up a little bit of a defensive game plan for him. Certainly he adds a different element.”
Tomlin said he doesn’t want to limit Fields in any way.
“I don’t wanna squash his natural instincts,” Tomlin told Kay Adams of the Up & Adams Show. “His mobility and escapability is a weapon. We don’t want to minimize that. We don’t want him overthinking. We want him to play fast and fluid. If anything from a messaging standpoint, I’ve probably mentioned that to him a few times. He’s new to the environment, I don’t want him to overanalyze what we might be thinking. I want him to do what comes natural as it pertains to his game.”
Fields relayed the same message when talking to reporters.
“Coach T and Arthur (Smith) never want to take away my instincts as far as running goes. We have a dual-threat quarterback in our division that’s very good at running, too, so it’s always good to give the defense that work,” Fields said.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
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