Cowboys’ Mike Zimmer slams Steelers’ Justin Fields, says QB ‘did nothing’ | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, faced off against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields just before his fourth season in the NFL.

In an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Mark Craig (courtesy of Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) and Zimmer discussed how former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman tried to snag Fields in the draft.

“In the first round, Rick tried to make a trade for Justin Fields, who hasn’t done anything yet,” Zimmer said.

The Vikings missed out on Fields in the 2021 draft, as the Chicago Bears traded from No. 20 to No. 12 to pick him. Since then, Fields’ career hasn’t been ideal, but he has had success in some areas.

He led the league in rushing yards by a quarterback in his sophomore season, with 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He had another successful year running the ball last season, with 657 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.

The 2023 season was Fields’ best season in terms of passing, with 2,562 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.

Still, a mediocre career to date has drawn plenty of criticism, including from Zimmer. Fields will look to turn that criticism into praise as he starts fresh with a new team.

It will be tough for Fields to turn things around this year, considering he begins the season as a backup. The Steelers named Russell Wilson their starting quarterback this week, so any production Fields has this season will have to come if Mike Tomlin gives him the nod off the bench, though there’s always a chance Fields earns the starting job later in the year.