When the Pittsburgh Steelers named Russell Wilson their starting quarterback, then put the captain’s “C” on his chest, it felt like Justin Fields’ status as QB2 was cemented.
But as it turns out, Justin Fields might end up as the Steelers’ starting quarterback in Week 1 after all.
Fields took regular training camp snaps and started in the preseason while Russell Wilson dealt with a troublesome calf injury. And now, just days ahead of Pittsburgh’s Week 1 showdown against the Atlanta Falcons, Wilson is once again dealing with a problematic calf issue. It is such a problem for Wilson right now that that the door is open for Justin Fields to start in his place.
We’ll keep tabs on Justin Fields’ playing status throughout the 2024 NFL season
The Chicago Bears trading Justin Fields back in March essentially served as the franchise’s first step toward in the Caleb Williams Era. For many, the Fields trade was enough to put him on the back-burner. Out of sight, out of mind. I get it. The Bears have a shiny new toy at quarterback and we’re all embracing him with everything we have. After all, that is the way things should be with this city, its favorite football team, and its quarterback.
However, that is not going to keep me from checkinꦕg ౠin on what Justin Fields is doing from afar.
My primary interest in what Fields does in Pittsburgh is tied to the draft pick compensation Chicago is getting in return from the Steelers. If Fields plays 51 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, then the Bears will receive a fourth-round pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. But if FIelds falls short of that number, that selection will be a sixth-rounder. As someone who obsessively covers the NFL Draft for this site, I understand that I care far more about a fourth-round pick than others. Hence, I have no problem being the guy with an eye on how much Justin Fields plays in Pittsburgh.
For what it’s worth: Russell Wilson hopes to play on Sunday. But after practicing with limitations during the week due to the ongoing calf tightness, Wilson might not be able to do so. If he can’t, then Justin Fields is ready to roll if his number is called.
“I learned my rookie year how fast things can change,” Fields said, . “I remember my third game rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds, i looked like a normal play, and he tweaked his knee and right then and there I was in. I always prepare like I’m a starter and you never know what can happen.”
If you’ll recall, Fields was named the starter in October 2021 and the rest is history. Perhaps history will repeat itself in Pittsburgh. If it does, then the Bears will reap the benefits of one last gift from Justin Fields in the form of a fourth-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bears fans had higher hopes for what they’d get from Fields, but I’m not one to turn down the gift of a fourth-round pick.
