Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is reportedly struggling to get his grip on the offense as training camp approaches.
In March, the Steelers acquired Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick. The move came after Pittsburgh signed another big-named QB, Russell Wilson, in free agency.
Head coach Mike Tomlin quickly shut down the idea of a QB controversy by stating that Wilson would open as the starter. And a new report indicates that there truly isn’t much competition between Wilson and Fields.
According to the @NFLNotify X/Twitter account, the 2021 first-round pick “has struggled” during the Steelers offseason camp. A source told the account that Justin Fields’ “timing is off,” and that “his ball placement is suspect…often seems disengaged.”
The Bears landed the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft via the Carolina Panthers, who gave up that selection as part of the move-up for Bryce Young a year ago. With that pick, Chicago selected can’t-miss USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
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Justin Fields had an inconsistent three-year tenure as the Bears’ starting quarterback. He went 10-28-0 as a starter with a 60.3 completion percentage, 6,674 passing yards and 40 touchdowns against 30 interceptions.
Though his passing numbers were lackluster at best, Fields dazzled as a runner with 2,220 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. This included 1,143 rushing yards and eight rushing scores during the 2022 season.
Justin Fields Can Become A Free Agent Next Year
After acquiring Fields, the Steelers decided to decline the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. So that means the Ohio State product is eligible to enter free agency next year, barring an extension from the Pittsburgh front office.
Wilson had a solid bounce-back year in Denver last season, so it’s understandable that Tomlin wants to give him first dibs. But if Wilson struggles early, don’t be surprised if Fields is quickly given the chance to run the offense.
The Steelers open their 2024 season with a road tilt against the Kirk Cousins-led Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.
