Justin Fields would not care what the depth chart would possibly say for the Pittsburgh Steelers — he needs to start out Week 1.
When Fields was traded to the Steelers again in March, he was relieved that the Chicago Bears gave him one other alternative elsewhere, contemplating all indicators pointed to what they did within the 2024 NFL Draft: Take quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 general.
However Fields joined a quarterbacks room within the Metal Metropolis that added Russell Wilson, a Tremendous Bowl champion and nine-time Professional Bowler, and he is the anticipated starter heading into coaching camp.
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Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears warms up previous to a sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Pictures)
Nevertheless, it isn’t the best way Fields views the state of affairs. He needs to start out, and he is competing with Wilson for that position — one thing he says his competitors is aware of.
“I’m positively competing,” Fields, who’s coming into his fourth season within the league, informed reporters on Tuesday. “Russ is aware of that. We’re competing in opposition to one another each day.
“I positively don’t have the mindset of me simply sitting all yr. I’m coming in right here each day giving all of it I acquired and pushing him to be his greatest, and he’s pushing me to be my greatest each single day.”
JUSTIN FIELDS’ RELATIONSHIP WITH VETERAN QUARTERBACKS AS ROOKIE WAS ‘TOXIC AS HELL,’ REPORT SAYS
Now, this is not Fields making an attempt to drive a wedge between him and Wilson, however somewhat proving that he is not content material being a backup. His coaches might put him in that place after coaching camp, however any participant is aware of competitors in the summertime is inevitable, irrespective of the place.
It is particularly the case at quarterback for the Steelers regardless of what Wilson’s career resume says. He struggled throughout his time in Denver, a lot in order that the Broncos are consuming tons of lifeless cap cash to make their method to a brand new period beneath Sean Payton with Bo Nix, their No. 12 general decide, lined as much as begin his profession on the place in 2024.
The Steelers, a staff desperately in search of consistency at quarterback, cleared home on their depth chart and introduced in Wilson and Fields. With Wilson solely on a veteran minimal deal, any struggles from him may result in the Steelers reducing ties, making approach for Fields who was glad he acquired the decision that he was heading to Pittsburgh this offseason.
Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up previous to an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Subject at Mile Excessive on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Perry Knotts/Getty Pictures)
“We have been in the identical state of affairs final yr with having the No. 1 decide, and it was just a bit bit totally different this yr,” Fields mentioned Tuesday, which was his first time talking for the reason that commerce. “I am not naive to the truth that — I can learn physique language and stuff like that. It wasn’t actually only a shock to the place it is like, ‘Oh, I acquired traded.’ I knew what was going to occur beforehand. So I am simply glad I acquired traded to the spot that I wished to be at.
“Shoutout to [Bears GM] Ryan Poles. We communicated to him by way of my agent, and I informed him the place I wished to be, and this was a spot I wished to be. He honored that, and I recognize him for that and glad he was capable of put me in a spot the place I wished to be at.”
Fields acknowledged the “ups and downs” he skilled with the Bears, which included a profession 10-28 report. However whereas inconsistency has been a theme with Fields early in his profession, he has proven flashes of greatness, whether or not it’s stunning deep ball touchdowns or utilizing his legs to mesmerize defenses.
For all that didn’t go nicely in Denver final season, Wilson nonetheless had the staff in playoff rivalry with a 7-8 beginning report, 3,070 yards passing and 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Nevertheless, in 2022, Denver struggled mightily with Wilson ending the yr 4-11.
Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears warms up earlier than a sport in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Subject on Jan. 7, 2024 in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Pictures)
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It is going to be some of the spotlighted place battles this offseason, as Wilson and Fields are already attending to work with their new receiving corps. However for all these pondering it is Wilson’s job to lose, Fields is clearly gunning for the highest spot, and he would not care if a seasoned veteran is in his approach.
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