Fields: 'I've shown what I can do' to be Steelers' QB1
Justin Fields believes he passed the test to be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback.
"I've shown what I can do," Fields said Thursday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I think the time that I did have with the (first team) practicing in training camp, I think that went well. I think we grew a lot each and every day, but at the end of the day, it's not up to me."
The Steelers traded Kenny Pickett in the offseason and added two quarterbacks by acquiring Fields from the Chicago Bears and signing Russell Wilson. Head coach Mike Tomlin later announced Wilson as the starter. However, the nine-time Pro Bowler sustained a calf injury at training camp, which resulted in Fields taking first-team snaps.
A standout rushing QB with limitations as a passer, Fields turned heads at camp and went viral for his deep throws. He was the starter for the Steelers' preseason opener two weeks ago but had fumble issues.
A healthy Wilson started in last week's preseason matchup versus the Buffalo Bills, but he didn't do much offensively, either. The 35-year-old will start the Steelers' preseason finale Saturday. Pittsburgh's first-team offense has been dealing with several injuries and has yet to score a point in two exhibition appearances.
"I try to not think about stuff that I can't control," Fields said of the competition with Wilson. "I try to just think about the stuff that I can control, so I can't control whether or not I'm going to be named the starter. I can control how I come in every day, how I work every day, and how I treat my teammates."
Wilson put on a show through his first 10 NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. But he's coming off a disappointing two-year stint with the Denver Broncos, who went only 11-19 with him under center.
The Steelers kick off their 2024 regular season on Sept. 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.