What Works and What Doesn’t for Steelers QB Justin Fields

PITTSBURGH — Bringing in Justin Fields after signing Russell Wilson should be a long-term move for the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Wilson in pole position for the starting job from the moment he signed, the Steelers would methodically determine if they could turn the raw potential shown in Chicago into the Steelers’ next franchise quarterback.

Instead, Wilson’s lingering — and now aggravated — calf injury accelerated the Steelers’ evaluation of Fields, with the bulk of his first-team work coming in training camp and two regular-season starts. He could be in line for another, with Wilson’s calf at less than 100 percent and the Chargers — whose defense is allowing a league-low 6.5 points per game — coming to town on Sunday. With just one touchdown in two weeks and an average of 260 yards per game, the Steelers’ offense under Fields is a work in progress. Still, a two-game sample size offers a more tangible sense of what Fields brings to the court than his training camp reps and preseason action.

“I think I’m learning more about him every day that goes by,” coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday. “I just think there’s no substitute for a relationship. You go through something together, you learn about yourself and each other and so it’s just been a good process. I’m looking forward to it continuing.”

Pass game

Some of Fields’ most glaring weaknesses during his tenure with Chicago came in the passing game, but in two weeks the Steelers have reduced Fields’ margin for error by simplifying the passing attack.

Fields is averaging 6.1 air yards per attempt, according to ESPN Research, well below his career average of 8.4 air yards per attempt. As a result, he’s completing a career-high 69.8% of passes and has an above-expected completion percentage of -1.4%, also a career-best, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Perhaps most importantly, Fields hasn’t thrown an interception or lost a fumble.

When he stretches the field, he often finds receiver George Pickens. Pickens leads Steelers receivers with eight catches for 114 yards, averaging 14.3 yards per reception.

Fields has been sacked just four times in two games. In 2023, he has been sacked 10 times in his first two games. Of Fields’ two sacks against the Broncos, one was a coverage sack for a loss of a yard and the other came in the red zone.

Fields’ ball placement has improved with each game. He had the highest blitz rate of his career against the Broncos (64.3%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats, but he completed 9 of 13 attempts for 83 yards and a touchdown.

“You could just see him dotting them today,” wide receiver Van Jefferson said Sunday. “It’s great to have him back out there. He did a lot of great things today, so he could just continue to build and move forward.”

In some ways, the Steelers’ early passing attack with Fields reduces him more to a game-manager role than it does to his big-play potential. And while he’s minimized mistakes, there have still been a few recurring issues, primarily in snap exchanges with center Zach Frazier. There was a fumble on the snap exchange in both games, though the Steelers didn’t lose possession.

Attack with haste

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Fields’ upside is his ability to run the ball. It gives the Steelers an extra run threat on the field, making it harder for defenses to use running backs Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren. Fields is the Steelers’ second-leading rusher behind Harris with 84 yards on 22 carries, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.

Through two games this season, the Steelers are running better up the middle, averaging 3.5 yards per carry on such runs compared to 1.8 yards per carry in 2023. The Steelers are also averaging 3.7 yards per carry inside the tackles, up from 1.4 yards per carry in 2023, but they are the only team that has not scored a rushing touchdown despite leading the league in rushing attempts.

Against the Falcons, Fields had 14 carries for 57 yards, while that number dropped to eight carries for 27 yards against the Broncos.

Fields leads all quarterbacks with 12 designed runs through two weeks for 28 yards. He also has four first downs on those plays. While Fields has the most runs, he ranks fifth in total yards on those plays with a designed run of seven yards all season. He’s also averaging just 2.3 yards per rush on designed runs, which ranks third behind Lamar Jackson (6.3) and Jayden Daniels (2.4). This means that while the Steelers are taking advantage of Fields’ ability as a runner, he won’t be asked to cover much ground on those carries.

But Fields continues to learn how to find the right time to use his legs. He admitted to breaking the pocket too early, leading to a sack against the Falcons, and sometimes his extended scrambles result in penalties against the offensive line.

“It’s tough on them,” Fields said of the offensive linemen. “Especially when I come out and those D-linemen are chasing me and they get locked in, and the D-linemen are trying to get away. It’s tough on them.”

Still, Fields’ teammates believe he’s becoming more confident in finding the timing as the game gets more action.

“Using his legs when he needs to on first downs or just staying in the pocket and just taking a hit,” said tight end Darnell Washington, describing how he’s seen Fields’ confidence translate onto the field. “I felt like I saw him on the ground a lot today after throws and stuff like that.”

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Intangibles

There is, of course, an elephant in the locker room: The current quarterback arrangement has the makings of an uncomfortable situation. Yet, outwardly, the players are navigating it as best they can.

Wilson is a captain and keeps going out there to flip the coin. There is no power struggle. That is not Fields’ style.

“He’s respectful to Russ,” Tomlin said in an interview with Sunday’s CBS broadcast. “He doesn’t bow down to Russ.”

And while Fields has openly said he’d like to be a starter in the NFL after arriving in Pittsburgh, he has downplayed any talk of a regular-season quarterback controversy.

“Honestly, I’m not worried about that at all,” Fields said. “I just came in wanting to win and I’m happy we’re leaving here with a win. So as far as who’s starting and who’s not, at the end of the day, I just want to win.”

It’s that approach and Fields’ leadership style that makes the current quarterback scheme work. He’s the first to admit he’s not a wordy guy. But that’s also why, his Steelers teammates said, when he does speak, they’re on high alert.

“He’s definitely calmer, more laid back, but he has a certain presence,” left tackle Dan Moore Jr. said. “People just naturally want to follow Justin. When he speaks, you want to listen. He doesn’t say much, so when he speaks, it’s definitely something you want to listen to, but he’s been a great leader for us.”