The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold offseason move, cleaning out their quarterback room and bringing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on board instead. Since arriving in the Steel City, Wilson and Fields have been the target of media attention, but it doesn't always work in their favor.
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Steelers QB Russell Wilson speaks to the media.
Wilson has been out and about in Pittsburgh, making sure fans and the media see he is not some stuck-up diva husband of a mega-popstar. Wilson glows during interviews with the press, but Fields has a different demeanor. He comes across as more reserved, quieter, and less ostentatious.
Sometimes, Fields looks downright annoyed. It could be just his personality; maybe he has to warm up to people before he feels comfortable. But it has caught the attention of some fans, one of whom called to ask Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Chris Carter about it on his podcast, Locked on Steelers. Carter told the fan that he wasn't the only person to notice Fields' behavior during interviews.
"He's not being super rambunctious, nor has he been overeager, cracking a lot of jokes," said Carter. "But I ask this: what does anyone expect of him right now? This is a guy, who felt he was overlooked in the NFL Draft in the first place. He wanted to prove it in Chicago, things just went poorly. Now he's on the verge of being a backup for the rest of his career when he was thinking he was going to be a franchise quarterback."
Carter said Fields has always carried a chip on his shoulder because he wasn't drafted in the top 10 like he thought he should be. The Bears selected him 11th overall in 2021. While Fields has some mechanics to work on, it is hard to argue with the fact that the Chicago Bears let him down.
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Former Bears (now Steelers) OB Justin Fields.
Almost all quarterbacks need a period of adjustment to the NFL. The game moves faster, the defenses are better, and the offensive plays are more complicated. The Bears did not develop Fields properly; they didn't have the weapons he needed or a solid line to protect him. Carter said that when you consider those factors, it is easy to see why he might be less than enthusiastic.
"There's a lot of pressure there," added Carter. I think what's happening with Justin Fields is that he's just on the verge of being a backup this year and he wants to try and stay focused. I don't hear unhappiness, I hear him being locked in and focused on what's ahead, on what he needs to do right now. Because if he messes up this opportunity, that might be it as far as being an NFL starter."
Fields is under a lot of pressure in Pittsburgh. He is working with a new team, a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, and a new playbook.
AP
Steelers' Russell Wilson talking with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith.
The real question will be how Fields can prove himself if he is always working with the second-string offense and not getting much playing time. The recent reports about Fields not looking as accurate as he should admittedly came from a very small sample size.
Steelers Still Have To Decide On Justin Fields' Contract For 2025
Fields is on a one-year contract with the Steelers, as they declined to pick up his fifth-year option. However, they can rework the contract and extend him beyond this season. The tricky part is finding that balance and knowing what to pay someone who hasn't played a single down for you yet.
Some think the Steelers should work something out with Fields now. They hope you can lock him in at a good price so that you don't risk going into 2025 without any quarterbacks.
What do you think about Fields' demeanor? Do you think he seems unhappy during interviews? Click to comment below.
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