Former Steelers Quarterback Justin Fields Shares Honest Reaction To Playing Pittsburgh In Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to navigate an uncertain and widely discussed offseason, with the vacant quarterback position remaining the center of attention. The team has made major roster moves, including a complete overhaul of the quarterback room. Among the departures was Justin Fields, a fan favorite whose exit drew plenty of reaction.

Fields, who was allowed to walk in free agency by the Steelers, signed with the New York Jets, where he’s anticipated to take over as the starting quarterback. During a recent media session with the Jets, Fields was asked about his reaction to facing the Steelers in Week 1, and he didn’t hold back in sharing his genuine thoughts.

"That's who we play Week 1. There wasn't really a thought to that," Fields said.

Fields’ time with the Steelers was short but filled with anticipation. Acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears, Fields was seen as a potential long-term solution at quarterback. His athleticism and dynamic playmaking ability generated a lot of excitement among fans, who hoped he could revive his career in Pittsburgh. However, despite all of the talk, Fields never solidified himself as the clear starter and saw limited action. 

Fields helped the Steelers get off to a promising 4-2 start last season. Initially slated as the backup to Russell Wilson, he was put into the starting role after Wilson suffered a calf injury just before the regular season began. Fields delivered a solid performance during his time as the starter, but was immediately benched once Wilson returned to full health, despite the team's success under his leadership.

When the NFL schedule was released, fans quickly noticed that the Steelers would face the Jets in Week 1, a matchup many are calling a "revenge game" for multiple reasons. Fields has clear ties to Pittsburgh after spending last season with the Steelers. Despite showing flashes of success when given the opportunity, many fans felt Fields didn’t get a fair shot and was let go too soon. While the Steelers only signed him to a one-year deal, there was a widespread belief that he could be re-signed and potentially become the team's long-term answer at quarterback. Even former Steelers Super Bowl champion Mike Logan expressed hope that Fields could be the franchise's future.

On top of that, the frontrunner to fill the Steelers’ quarterback vacancy is veteran Aaron Rodgers. While Rodgers is best known for most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, he has spent the past two seasons with the Jets, the same team where Fields now leads. Rodgers has publicly acknowledged tension with the Jets organization, even discussing his frustrations on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this offseason. If Rodgers does end up signing with Pittsburgh, the Week 1 matchup becomes even more interesting, as both quarterbacks would be facing off against teams they feel wronged them.

This wouldn’t be the first time Fields and Rodgers have gone head-to-head. The two previously faced off multiple times in one of the NFL’s most historic rivalries, the Bears vs. Packers in the NFC North. Rodgers came out on top in each of those matchups, maintaining a perfect record against Fields. That history adds another layer of intrigue to their potential showdown in Week 1 of 2024.

Steelers Are Still Left With Options At The Quarterback Position

The possibility of Rodgers signing with the Steelers has completely dominated the headlines, but if he ultimately decides not to join the team, the Steelers still have other options. As things currently stand, Mason Rudolph would likely be the starting quarterback if the season began today. Opinions on this are divided, while many fans believe the team should have stuck with Fields. 

Only time will reveal whether the Steelers made the right decision, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be an exciting season to watch unfold.

Do you wish the Steelers stuck with Fields? Let us know in the comments below!

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