Steelers' Justin Fields Likely Plotting Revenge On Cowboys' Mike Zimmer After Harsh Comments Get Leaked

The Pittsburgh Steelers made some bold and unexpected moves this offseason, one of the most surprising being their trade for former first-round pick Justin Fields. Fields, who was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, was initially seen as the future of the Chicago Bears when they traded up to draft him. However, after another disappointing 2023 season, the Bears decided to move on from Fields, seizing the opportunity to pursue another top prospect, Caleb Williams.

Fields entered the NFL with high expectations following a standout career at Ohio State. Interestingly, former Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman was reportedly eager to trade up and draft Fields, a move that created significant tension with then-Head Coach Mike Zimmer. Zimmer, who was committed to Kirk Cousins as his starting quarterback, strongly opposed the idea and believed that Spielman's decision-making was responsible for many of the team's struggles during their time together in Minnesota.

Recently, Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star Tribune shed more light on the rift between Zimmer and Spielman, particularly highlighting how Zimmer was highly critical of Fields. 

"The first round, Rick [Spielman] tried to trade up for Justin Fields, who hasn't done anything," Zimmer told the Star Tribune in an interview.

This adds an intriguing layer of drama as Fields, now the Steelers' backup quarterback, could be seeking revenge when Pittsburgh faces the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. With Zimmer now serving as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, the matchup takes on even more significance, potentially setting the stage for a heated showdown.

Although Fields is expected to remain the backup when the Steelers host the Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium in Week 5, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has hinted that special package plays for Fields are very much on the table. This means that while Fields may not start at quarterback, he’s likely to have several opportunities to run the ball and prove a point to Zimmer, who criticized him harshly back in 2021 and continues to do so.

In Zimmer’s defense, the Vikings had little reason to trade up for a quarterback, even one as talented as Fields was coming out of college. Tomlin was a big fan of Fields, but understood that the Steelers had no realistic chance to draft him. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Zimmer’s working relationship with Spielman was strained, adding yet another layer of complexity to this ongoing narrative.

Fields hasn't quite lived up to the lofty expectations that accompanied him into the NFL. Over three seasons, he has impressed pundits with his athleticism and ability as a rusher, establishing himself as one of the most dynamic players in the league. However, as a passer, Fields has struggled with accuracy and consistency. 

While he has the capability to throw a beautiful deep ball, his propensity for turnovers has been a significant issue. Fields has fumbled the ball 38 times and thrown 30 interceptions in three seasons, a troubling amount of turnovers that played a major role in the Bears' decision to move on from him.

Steelers' Justin Fields Could Be The Future In Pittsburgh

Now, Fields finds himself in the Steel City, hoping to learn from veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and eventually position himself as the starter. At 35, Wilson is unlikely to be the long-term solution for Pittsburgh, making the 25-year-old Fields a more exciting prospect for the future. However, for Fields to secure that role, he will need to address his flaws and prove to the Steelers' coaching staff that he can be their quarterback of the future.

Fields has admitted that he doesn’t pay much attention to the media, so it's unlikely he's even aware of the criticism Zimmer has directed his way. Still, Steelers fans would love to see Fields rush for a touchdown against Zimmer's defense when the two teams meet in 2024, adding an extra layer of satisfaction to the rivalry.

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