Steelers’ Justin Fields “Has Opened Some Eyes” After Exciting Coaches During Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers began their training camp in Latrobe with a notable absence: their new quarterback, Russell Wilson, did not participate in the first few practices. Wilson reportedly suffered a calf injury during a conditioning drill involving a sled, limiting his involvement in camp.

This situation presented an opportunity for another new quarterback, Justin Fields, to showcase his skills to the coaching staff. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has stated that Wilson is in pole position for the starting position, although there's been some speculation about what exactly that entails. Nevertheless, Wilson remains the favorite to start.

Meanwhile, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported on NFL Live that Fields is gaining momentum. As Wilson missed time, Fields capitalized on the opportunity, displaying both strengths and weaknesses. Despite some struggles, Fields demonstrated to the Steelers' coaches an exciting potential for their offense with him at the helm.

"What happens when you have the pole position and you suffer a calf strain early in camp and you give your competition some reps that enables Justin Fields to make a mark with the coaching staff," Schefter said.

The Steelers have downplayed Wilson's injury, describing it as very minor. Tomlin joked that Wilson wanted to start practicing right away, but he held him out to create some short-term misery. Meanwhile, Wilson has been taking mental reps and observing from the sidelines as he recovers.

As Wilson gets healthier and fully participates in camp, the quarterback competition is expected to intensify. Schefter still sees Wilson as the favorite to start, but he also noted that Fields has made a strong impression in the offense.

"I think Russell Wilson remains in pole position, but I also think that Justin Fields has opened some eyes and they see the type of offense they could have," Schefter said. "We know how this staff has felt about Justin Fields in the past, and he has gotten better at practice every day as it's been told to me."

The Steelers coaching staff has always held Fields in high regard. According to Schefter, this positive perception could make it easier for Fields to impress the coaches further. Fields is an exciting player; when he's at his best, he looks unstoppable. However, he has struggled with inconsistent throws and decision-making, leading to questions about his accuracy and reliability.

Fields has completed three seasons in the NFL, throwing for 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. His career record of 10-28 with the Chicago Bears highlights his challenges in leading teams to victories. While Fields can deliver a beautiful pass, there are concerns about his ability to excel against NFL secondaries.

Steelers' Justin Fields Could Thrive Working With Arthur Smith

Fields' running ability, however, is unquestionable. When he takes off with the football, he's incredibly fast and tough to tackle. His dual-threat capabilities would be an asset in Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's new system, which aims to implement a physical, run-heavy offense. Pairing Fields with running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren could create a formidable ground attack that would be difficult for defenses to handle.

Schefter notes that Fields is making a strong impression on his new coaches. As the competition between Wilson and Fields heats up, it will be fascinating to see how the quarterback battle unfolds in the Steelers' camp.

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