The Steelers could have a difficult decision to make at quarterback heading into Week 4, but if it’s up to the locker room, it seems like it would be an easy decision.
Pittsburgh has stood behind the idea that Russell Wilson is its starting quarterback since signing him in March. In fact, he is still listed as the QB1 on the team’s depth chart.
However, Justin Fields has taken full advantage of his opportunities while Wilson has been sidelined with a calf injury, leading the Steelers to three straight wins to start the season.
Fields, who was once criticized for not seeing the field during his three-year stint in Chicago, now believes it’s one of the stronger parts of his game.
“Just overall seeing the field,” Fields said when asked where he’s grown the most. “I feel like I’m just very calm out there, cool, calm and collected on the field, and really just that sense of peace out there on the field and not really rushing things.”
That looked to be the case for the No. 11 overall pick in 2021 on Sunday. Fields put together maybe his best showing yet, completing 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. He also had a five-yard rushing score.
Those numbers shouldn’t be overlooked, either, as the Los Angeles Chargers had the top-ranked defense in the NFL entering the day.
It’s safe to say Fields’ performance has his teammates buying into him.
“What he’s been doing since he got here,” wide receiver Calvin Austin III said when asked what he saw from Fields. “Always being cool and collected, communicating all the time on the sideline, getting guys on the same page and just doing exactly what we need him to do to lead us.”
Fields did throw his first interception with the Steelers, but tight end Pat Freiermuth noted that Fields responded exactly how he had hoped.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve seen from the offense today was just when adversity hit, we didn’t panic. We continued to grow,” Freiermuth said. “When Justin had that turnover, there was no sulking or anything like that.”
Freiermuth is right to feel that way. The interception came off a tipped ball and was Fields’ first in 115 pass attempts and 80 completions, marks which ranked eighth and tied for sixth, respectively, among active QBs.
Still, Pittsburgh may have to decide whether to stick with the 25-year-old or turn to the 35-year-old Wilson if he’s ready to make his return.
Fields, who has now won three consecutive games for the first time in his career, is only focusing on what he can control and is confident he can make it four straight if given the chance against the Indianapolis Colts next week.
“It means a lot, but at the end of the day, it’s not just me winning games. It’s the whole team,” Fields added. “We definitely look forward to keeping it going next week versus Indy.”
All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
