Former Steelers QB Justin Fields Shares Honest Response To Being Benched In Pittsburgh

Throughout this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have consistently found themselves at the center of numerous rumors and widespread discussions, largely stemming from the notable vacancy that currently exists at the pivotal quarterback position within their roster. Interestingly, around this same time last year, the Steelers strategically opted to sign two quarterbacks to relatively short, one-year contracts, moves that were widely understood to be fiscally responsible. However, as the current offseason unfolds, neither of these quarterbacks remain a member of the Steelers organization, thereby creating a significant void that needs to be addressed for the upcoming season's starting quarterback role. 

One of these quarterbacks was the seasoned veteran Russell Wilson, who recently agreed to another one-year contract, but this time with the New York Giants. The other quarterback was Justin Fields, who recently inked a two-year deal with the New York Jets, a contract that includes a substantial financial commitment, indicating the Jets' strong belief in his potential and future with their franchise. Initially, Fields started the 2024 NFL season as the starting quarterback for the Steelers. This opportunity arose due to an unfortunate calf injury sustained by Wilson during training camp, which sidelined Wilson for the initial weeks of the regular season. However, upon Wilson's full recovery and subsequent return to active status, Fields was ultimately moved to the bench, with Wilson resuming his role as the team's starting quarterback for the remainder of the season's schedule. 

Recently, Zack Rosenblatt, a senior writer contributing to The Athletic, made a post that shared Fields' personal feelings and perspective regarding the experience of being benched after having started the season for the Steelers.

While Fields' tenure as the starting quarterback for the Steelers began with considerable promise following his acquisition in a trade from the Chicago Bears, his strong performance early in the 2024 season led to questions when he was eventually benched. 

"It was different for me and a space I wasn't really comfortable," Fields revealed in the post. "But Coach Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team. I'm never going to go against that."

Fields guided the Steelers to an encouraging 4-2 record in his initial six starts, showcasing his abilities as a dual-threat quarterback. Through those games, he demonstrated his passing capabilities by throwing for a total of 1,106 yards, connecting for five touchdowns while remarkably throwing only a single interception. Furthermore, Fields effectively utilized his athleticism, adding a significant dimension to the Steelers' offense with his mobility, rushing for an impressive 289 yards and contributing five rushing touchdowns. 

This noteworthy production and the team's positive record under his leadership prompted many observers and fans to question the subsequent decision to relegate him to the bench, particularly given the relatively early stage of the season. His dual-threat capabilities presented a unique challenge for opposing defenses, and his statistical output suggested a quarterback who was effectively managing the offense and contributing to victories.

Although sources indicated that the Steelers initially held an interest in retaining Fields for another season, his reaction to being benched during the previous year understandably reveals a degree of discomfort with that situation. However, with his recent move to a new team, it appears that Fields is poised to assume the role of starting quarterback, presenting him with a significant and promising opportunity to showcase his talents. 

Interestingly, the Jets were the recent former team of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a brief period. Rodgers is currently the subject of widespread rumors suggesting he will be the Steelers' starting quarterback for the upcoming NFL year. While no official announcement has been made, Rodgers has been the most prominent name associated with filling the Steelers' quarterback vacancy, and reports have even surfaced indicating that the Steelers have extended a contract offer to him and are currently awaiting his decision. 

Fields Will Face The Steelers This Year

Although the potential acquisition of Rodgers by the Steelers has not yet been officially confirmed, the promising nature of reports suggests the possibility of several intriguing matchups in the upcoming NFL season. Notably, Rodgers and Fields have a history of facing each other on the field, as Rodgers spent the majority of his illustrious career with the Green Bay Packers, a fierce NFC North divisional rival to Fields' former team, the Bears, leading to several compelling matchups between the two quarterbacks.

The Steelers are also slated to face the Jets during the upcoming NFL season, a matchup that carries a potential revenge tour for both organizations, making it a contest that many football enthusiasts are already anticipating. For the Steelers, should they successfully acquire veteran quarterback Rodgers, this game would present a compelling narrative against his former team, the Jets, adding an extra layer of intensity and personal stakes to the contest. 

Conversely, for the Jets, this game will mark a meeting with their former quarterback, Fields. This sets the stage for a potentially emotionally charged game for Fields as well, providing him with an opportunity to compete against the team that initially brought him in, but did not ultimately offer him the long-term starting role. The alignment of these storylines, with both Rodgers and Fields potentially having added motivation against their recent teams, elevates this particular matchup on the schedule to one that promises significant intrigue and compelling narratives for fans to follow.

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