After a whirlwind season with the Pittsburgh Steelers that ended in a benching, quarterback Justin Fields is speaking publicly for the first time about his 2024 campaign – and the difficult decision made by head coach Mike Tomlin that ultimately ended his time in black and gold.
The Steelers entered last season with a completely retooled quarterback room, bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in hopes of solving their offensive woes.
Wilson initially won the starting job in training camp but missed the start of the season with a calf injury, giving Fields the first opportunity to lead the team. He started strong, going 4-2, but was replaced once Wilson returned to full health.
Wilson went on to guide the Steelers to a 6-5 finish, though the season unraveled with a five-game losing streak that included a Wild Card defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.
Now in New York as a member of the Jets, Fields reflected on the moment Tomlin decided to bench him.
“It was different for me and a space I wasn’t really comfortable,” Fields said. “But Coach Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team. I’m never going to go against that. I just tried to change my perspective and get better in practice.”
Criticism followed Fields through his time in Chicago and Pittsburgh, with many questioning his ability to thrive as a pure passer.
However, new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is already signaling a fresh approach, suggesting that Fields may finally be allowed to be the quarterback he believes he can be.
“I did what I was asked to do. I’ve never had a problem with that,” Fields continued. “I’ve always been a team player. I’m not going to get too much in-depth into what happened in Chicago or Pittsburgh, but I’m grateful for all the experiences I had.”
Though his time with the Steelers ended without much fanfare, Fields has handled the transition with professionalism – never blaming the organization, nor stirring controversy as he prepares for a potential starting role in New York.
Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, questions continue to swirl.
The team still awaits clarity on whether veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers wants to sign with them. Some fans are growing extremely impatient waiting for the future Hall of Famer to make up his mind.
Interestingly, the team hosted a visit with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders today. There are rumblings that Pittsburgh will have their eye on Sanders, Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe once the draft rolls around.
As for Fields, what are your thoughts on his comments about how things played out in Pittsburgh? … Did the Steelers make a mistake letting him walk out the door???
