It’s still the offseason, but Justin Fields‘ time with the Pittsburgh Steelers hasn’t gotten off to the best start — at least not if you believe what you read.
As this time of year brings all the lists (because what else is there to write about?), the latest Biggest Winners and Losers of 2024 NFL Offseason from Bleacher Report pegs Fields as a “loser.” He’s one of three, along with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones — who has been raked over the coals this offseason — and the Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks room.
Here’s what Bleacher Report’s Brett Sobleski had to say about Fields’ loser status:
Fields’ current setup in Pittsburgh could be viewed as a positive after he was asked to shoulder an inferior offensive supporting cast in Chicago. However, the 25-year-old isn’t guaranteed to receive another chance to start. He’s currently second on the depth chart behind Russell Wilson, whom the Steelers signed after the Denver Broncos released him.
Fields still has the athletic profile to be special. After all, he was one of the league’s most creative quarterbacks while running for 1,800 yards over the last two seasons. However, his inconsistency from the pocket took from being the future of the Bears to a backup for the Steelers, who didn’t even pick up his fifth-year option.
Fields is no longer considered the future anywhere. He’ll have to earn his next contract, which is a rather significant fall from grace after being the No. 11 overall pick and starting for the past three seasons.
Who knows what Pittsburgh’s plan for Fields is? Perhaps training camp will offer a clearer picture. We all know he’s not truly competing for the starting gig, but the Steelers couldn’t pass up on adding him to their roster when the opportunity presented itself.
Fields has youth on his side, and the potential is there. Pittsburgh is the best place for second chances, especially on a team that’s been trying to figure out its quarterback situation since Ben Roethlisberger retired two-and-a-half years ago.
A chief knock on Fields from his mess of a time in Chicago has been recycled to death: He ultimately failed to develop as the Bears had hoped when they selected him with the 11th overall pick in 2021.
Can Fields put that behind him and take advantage of the opportunity to learn from a Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Russell Wilson?
If he can’t, he can kiss goodbye to his chance to be a starter in the NFL.
