NFL Analyst Critiques Steelers' Justin Fields For Botched Snaps In Pittsburgh's First 2024 Preseason Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to keep Russell Wilson out of the starting lineup for their first preseason matchup, leaving Steeler Nation with Justin Fields as QB1. As the black and gold hosted the Houston Texans Friday night, Fields got his first taste of live game reps with the starters. Even though Fields had a passer rating of 113.2 and completed five out of six passes, his night was overshadowed by his two miscues with center Nate Herbig, as they put the ball on the ground twice.

In their 20-12 loss, Fields threw for 67 yards hitting four different receivers. The fumbles between he and Herbig vitally hurt the team as they continually were behind the chains and in third and long situations. With that, the Steelers couldn't score any points with the first team. While they still managed to recover both of their own fumbles, there were questions about who was to blame. 

Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky studied some of Fields' plays from Friday night's game, and he broke down the two fumbled snaps. While Orlovsky pointed out that it's more of a communication issue, he said that Fields needs to move his hands when the offensive line has the shift that it did. 

Orlovsky said it's very often for centers and quarterbacks during these exchanges to have conversations prior about small, but significant movements.

"Look at Justin's hands, basically where they should be," Orlovsky explained in the video. "Then the snap happens and as that center steps to the right I see the ball coming under his right thigh. Did Justin move his hands with him? You have to be able to do that, or the center has to adjust and make sure the ball doesn't move that much. I'm trying to figure out what happened on this. That's my guess, that the center steps hard to the right and Justin's hands don't really move and there's that disconnect."

Shortly after the second fumble, Herbig was no longer in the game and rookie Zach Frazier took over as center. Frazier made a fast and big impact on the o-line and had a great outing. Look out for Frazier to make his way into the starting lineup very soon. 

Mistakes like these from Friday night are what will hurt Fields in the quarterback competition. No matter who is at fault, fumbled snaps are unacceptable. Fields spoke about the mistakes after the game and said the self-inflicted wounds are the only thing hurting them. How do you think the Steelers' offense will respond to the mistakes?

Steelers' Justin Fields Has To Pace Better With His Drop To Give Receivers Time, Says Dan Orlovsky

After going over the two fumbled snaps, Orlovsky looked at one passing play by Fields which was a 3rd and 13. It was a deep route concept for three wideouts, while tight end Pat Freiermuth shed off of a block and into the flat. Instead of taking another second or two, Fields dumped it off to Freiermuth, who wound up short of the first down mark by about seven yards. 

Orlovsky explained that Fields' pace is something that he needs to improve on as he progresses throughout the preseason. 

"First preseason game, you do want to see this element of his game improve. Just marrying the speed and the pace of that drop to the pass concept. Justin's throwing the ball, [Pickens is] not even close to his landmark for that in-route."

Other than that and the two fumbles, Fields had a solid performance. He and the Steelers will be back in Acrisure Stadium for their second preseason game on Saturday when they host the Buffalo Bills, but Wilson will more than likely be starting this one. What did you make of Fields' outing on Friday? Let us know in the comments.

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