The News For Justin Fields In Pittsburgh Keeps Getting Worse

Last week, there was news out of Pittsburgh that the Steelers coaching staff was considering putting Justin Fields on kick return duties. While it made sense in a vacuum, given his obvious athletic capabilities, it also sent a blaring message. That organization didn't view Fields as any true threat to Russell Wilson for the starting quarterback job. Head coach Mike Tomlin had insisted the team would keep an open mind. Wilson would be the designated #1, but Fields would be given opportunities to compete.

By the sound of things lately, that was a lie. Mark Kaboly covers the Steelers for The Athletic. In a recent mailbag, he was asked about the Fields situation in various ways. His answer didn't paint a rosy picture for the former Bears quarterback. Not only is he unlikely to get any serious consideration for the starting job, but he isn't going to see the field at all.

How long of a leash will they give Wilson? — Dennis R.

He will start the entire season. The only way he comes out is if he gets injured. Bank it.

Do you expect Art Smith to have special plays/drives scripted for Fields at QB in most games? — Danny C.

No. Maybe you can see red zone stuff, but Wilson was good in the red zone last year. I don’t see him getting any playing time, and that includes kickoffs.

This is a rough thing to hear. Fields personally signed off on the Pittsburgh trade because he felt it was a stable organization that would give him a fair crack at the starting job. By the sound of things, he was mistaken.

Justin Fields seems destined for free agency in 2025.

It will take an incredible sales pitch by the Steelers to convince him to stay beyond this season if this is their current path. Wilson has only missed seven games with injuries in his NFL career. It seems unlikely he would suffer any such setbacks that might get Fields some action. He is a competitor and feels he is good enough to be a starter. Fields won't hesitate to hit free agency, hoping to find an organization willing to give him an honest chance to battle for their top job.

Seeing how fast things have changed for him in the past few months is amazing. Towards the end of 2023, he was playing some of his best football, showing legitimate progress as a passer. Sadly, his fate was sealed when Chicago landed the #1 overall pick. Even so, it was expected the market would be strong for somebody of his caliber. However, more proven names like Wilson and Kirk Cousins threw a wrench into those plans. Combine that with a highly-touted draft class; it was a perfect storm of awful for Justin Fields.

One can only hope he emerges on the far side of it all.