Justin Fields’ debut as the Steelers’ quarterback did not exactly set the stage ablaze, leaving many fans and analysts less than thrilled.
After suffering a calf injury that sidelined him for much of training camp, Russell Wilson’s absence opened the door for Fields to take over the first-team snaps. This situation led to a flurry of speculation, with some even suggesting that Fields could be a serious contender for the starting role. However, the notion of Fields usurping Wilson seemed far-fetched, highlighting the importance of staying healthy during training camp.
The Steelers’ first preseason game against the Texans was a significant opportunity for Fields to prove himself. Despite the buzz surrounding him in training camp, Fields’ performance in this game was a mixed bag. He demonstrated some positive moments, including a notable screen pass to Najee Harris for 16 yards and two key completions to George Pickens. These highlights showed that Fields has the potential to contribute effectively to the Steelers’ offense.
However, Fields’ performance was marred by a few key issues. He committed two fumbles during his time on the field, both occurring on snaps from center Nate Herbig. It is unclear whether these fumbles were the result of poor snapping or mistakes by Fields, but they certainly did not help his case. Additionally, Fields struggled to advance the Steelers’ offense into the red zone during his three series. This was a disappointment, especially considering the potential for a touchdown on his third series, had a challenge on an out-of-bounds pass to Pickens been upheld. In a regular-season game, it’s likely that Mike Tomlin would have challenged that call, but with it being preseason, he chose not to.
Despite the ups and downs of his performance, Fields does show promise for the future. Yet, his initial outing did not convince many that he is ready to supplant Wilson as the starting quarterback. For those who were high on Fields’ prospects early in training camp, it’s important to temper expectations. While Fields may indeed be a significant part of the Steelers’ future, it appears his time to take on a starting role is not quite here. For now, fans and the team alike will need to keep a close eye on Wilson’s performance and health to assess the quarterback situation moving forward.
