The Pittsburgh Steelers are nearing the start of the 2024 regular season, as voluntary workouts are set to begin on April 15th and organized Team Activities (OTAs) on May 21st. However, lots of players have been posting offseason workout videos and pictures.
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Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge rusher, TJ Watt (left) and Russell Wilson (right) have a pregame conversation back in 2019.
That includes both of Pittsburgh's new quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth shared that he and Wilson had spent some time together working out and getting to know each other. However, it is not just offensive players getting to know the new quarterbacks.
On Instagram, Fields' content creator, Simeon Kelley, shared photos of the young quarterback getting in some work with Steelers star safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Fields and Fitzpatrick are relatively close in age, even though the safety has been in the NFL for a few years longer. Fitzpatrick, 27, was drafted in the first round in 2018, 11th overall. Fields, 25, was drafted in same round, but in 2021.
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Steelers' Cameron Heyward (97), TJ Watt (90), and Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) celebrate after a big play.
Unsurprisingly, the veteran defenders are doing everything possible to help Fields and Wilson feel comfortable in the Steel City. Several veterans, including Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward, and T.J. Watt, reportedly spoke to Wilson on the phone to try to welcome him.
The Steelers hope Wilson and Fields can help bring that belief system back to the offense. It feels like leadership on the offense has been missing since Ben Roethlisberger and all of his strong offensive linemen line retired.
When Roethlisberger hung up his cleats after 18 seasons, the team knew it would not be easy to fill. They signed Mitch Trubisky and drafted Kenny Pickett in 2022, which allowed them to compete with existing backup Mason Rudolph.
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Former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields points to the crowd after a game.
Trubisky was chosen as the starter that season, but was quickly replaced by Pickett. Pickett could never move the ball down the field and score consistently. This, along with new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, led General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin to overhaul much of the starting offense.
Steelers' Fields Likely To Start 2024 As Backup To Wilson
Tomlin has already come out this offseason and stated that Wilson is in "pole position" to be the starter for the Steelers heading into the regular season. This doesn't mean that Fields won't have his opportunities to compete, but for now, Fields needs to take this time to learn under Wilson and prepare himself for when his number is finally called. With 40 passing touchdowns and 30 interceptions under his belt already in his young career, there's no doubt that there's both optimism and skepticism for the three-year veteran. Regardless, it's a good sign he's using this time during the offseason to train with his teammates, and ready himself for when his moment arises.
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