The Justin Fields experiment failed badly, but here’s what it looks like by the numbers.
It’s been about a month since the trade that sent Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers and there are a ton of questions and rumors circulating about his future with the Steelers and his potential future post-Steelers career.
In the 2021 NFL draft, Justin Fields, an athletic and talented QB from Ohio State, was expected to be off the board early in the 1st round. Projections were correct, as he was taken by the Chicago Bears with the 11th overall pick. Bears fans were excited, believing that they had finally found a franchise QB. In college Fields was a Heisman Finalist, the Big Ten OPOY, and a second-team AP All-American, was third in the country in TD throws, with 41, and three interceptions. He was described as accurate and very patient.
Throughout that first preseason, the hype around Fields grew and by the time the season started, fans were disappointed that Fields was named as the opening-day backup to Andy Dalton. Boos rained down for Dalton and Soldier Field chanted for Fields when Dalton ran out onto the field in Week One.
However, the fans got their wish in Week Two against the Bengals. Dalton went down with a knee injury and in came Fields to lead the team to a win. Fields played seven games before Dalton returned from his injury, winning his second and third, before ending on a four-game losing streak. Throughout the rest of the season, Fields primarily rode the bench.
Through the air, Fields was unsuccessful, completing 58.9% of passes, for 1,870 yards, seven TDs, and 10 interceptions. However, on the ground he showed much more promise, rushing for 420 yards, with an average of 5.8 per carry, and two TDs.
For his second season, expectations were higher. On the ground, he made a big leap forward, rushing for 1,143 yards an average of 7.1 per carry, and 8 TDs. In the air, he completed 60.4% of his passes, and for 2,242 yards and 17 TDs to 11 interceptions. When starting, he led the Bears to a 2-12 record and the first overall pick.
When Fields’ third season rolled around, expectations were higher but wavering. His performance did not improve, throwing for about 300 more yards, one less TD, and two fewer interceptions. On the ground, he made a big jump backward, rushing for 500 fewer yards, four fewer TDs, and almost two yards less per attempt. The only improvement was for their record. When starting, he led the Bears to a 5-7 record.
Overall, Fields completed 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards, 40 TDs, and 30 interceptions, and he ran for 2,220 yards, averaging 6.2 per carry, for 14 TDs. His disappointing performance held the Bears to a 9-27 record as their starter and a rank of 26th among all NFL offenses.
Since Fields entered the league, and among qualified players, he was 34th in the league for completion percentage, 26th in passing yards, 23rd in passing TDs, and 15th in interceptions. On the other hand, he ranked third for QB rushing yards and seventh for QB rushing TDs.
FIELDS’ FUTURE IN PITTSBURGH: Justin Fields’ Trade to the Steelers Puts Perilous Position on Quarterback Room, Fields
Justin Fields was not the answer for the Bears as many fans hoped for. Instead, he was traded to the Steelers on March 16th for a conditional sixth-round pick, which can become a fourth based on playing time. However, one day before the trade, Russell Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Steelers.
Expectations are that Wilson will earn the starting spot; although, most signs from the organization point toward an open competition, which Fields appears to believe he will win, saying: “I definitely don’t have the mindset of sitting all year.”
On the other hand, many rumors hint at Justin Fields being a backup. While Wilson was signed to a small one-year deal worth $1.2 million, he is a skilled, Super Bowl-winning QB, who played well for most of the 2023 season, leading the Denver Broncos to a strong five-game winning streak, which put them in contention to win the division. Through that stretch, they beat multiple playoff teams, such as the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, and even the later Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. But Wilson’s season ended early, being benched amid the rumors of being cut.
Other signs also point towards Wilson earning the starting role. First of all, the Steelers did not pick up Fields’ fifth-year option. Rumors are also spreading about Fields playing at positions other than QB, which would be a shock to many. Jaylen Warren, Steelers running back claimed on Not Just Football with Cam Heyward that there is a chance that Danny Smith, the Steelers’ special teams coordinator may be trying to put Fields in as a kick returner, something that a team would never risk with their starting QB.
Rumors have also begun to spread about Fields not being a good teammate. After an 0-2 start to the 2023 season, Fields was asked about his performance. Part of his answer was coaching causing him to overthink. Aside from blaming coaches for what was likely to be his own fault, others, such as Nick Foles, have claimed that Fields is a “toxic” teammate and he is not a hard worker.
As he receives his new chance with the Steelers, all Fields may need to fix is his work ethic. It may also be the case that he should shift his focus away from the passing game because the worst performance from the team around him came when he was running the ball the most. Lastly, he needs to be open to listening to and learning from Wilson in any way possible. If he does these things, it may be the case that the Steelers would be open to re-signing him before the 2025 season and he may finally meet his potential as a franchise QB.
