NFL
Is Justin Fields capable of winning the starting job with the Steelers?
The former Chicago Bears player believes he has done an excellent job to become the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting QB, despite Russell Willson’s presence.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must select a starting quarterback for the 2024 NFL season after the final preseason game against the Detroit Lions. The options are Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, with the latter believing he has done what is necessary to secure the starting job.
Fields spoke to the media after Thursday’s practice and said he’s shown the coaches what he can do. However, he knows that the decision is not up to him but to head coach Mike Tomlin.
“I think the time that I did have with the [first team] practicing in training camp, I think that went well,” Fields said. “I think we grew a lot each and every day, but at the end of the day, it’s not up to me.”
Fields took over the offense during training camp in Latrobe because Wilson suffered a calf injury during conditioning drills. The Ohio State graduate has completed 16 of 23 passes for 159 yards and has 44 yards on 11 carries in preseason games.
Justin Fields focuses on what he can control
The 24-year-old quarterback said that the only thing he can do right now is control what is within his reach: train hard and get to know his teammates better.
“I try to just think about the stuff that I can control, so I can’t control whether or not I’m going to be named the starter,” the quarterback said. “I can control how I come in every day, how I work every day and how I treat my teammates and every day.”
At the start of training camp, Tomlin noted that Wilson had the edge in the competition for the starting job. The team’s official depth chart has him in the top spot, with Wilson as the runner-up.