Steelers’ Justin Fields Has Lamar Jackson Potential But Pittsburgh Needs To Truly Trust In Him

The Pittsburgh Steelers had to move on from their Kenny Pickett experiment after two seasons that fell well below the bar of expectation. With Pickett traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, the quarterback room now consists of Russell Wilson and former Chicago Bears' first-round pick Justin Fields. Fields will be a backup when Pittsburgh's 2024 training camp begins. Despite that, there are comparisons being made between Fields and another athletic NFL quarterback, but that is where the issue lies.

Fields failed to evolve into the prolific passer the Bears envisioned when selecting him in the 2021 NFL Draft. Over the course of three seasons, he never surpassed 2,600 passing yards in a single campaign. His most productive year in Chicago came in 2023, where he managed to accumulate 2,562 passing yards, along with 16 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

While the Bears cut ties with Fields, looking to Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft, the error could be with the Bears' coaching, not in Fields. Gregg Braggs Jr. of the CHGO Sports podcast said the fault was in the mismanagement of Fields' talents and compared him to the MVP-winning star quarterback, Lamar Jackson.

"I'm just trying to point out, like, 'hey, this guy can make plays.' It's just not in the way -- yes, it's easier to build your offense around a quarterback like Caleb Williams. That's why Ryan Poles is moving on to this offense, because guys who throw with anticipation, guys that want to stay in the pocket, that's what a quarterback is. Justin does it in a completely different way, you know, in a way that Lamar Jackson does it, in some ways."

While there is certainly a considerable gap between what Fields and Jackson have accomplished in their respective careers, the style comparison is one that can be seen clearly. Jackson, as polarizing as he has been, is a two-time NFL MVP winner, negotiated a new $260-million contract without an agent prior to the 2023 season, and has cemented himself as the franchise quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

Fields, on the other hand, is on his second NFL team as a backup and is out to turn his fresh start into a legitimate future in the league. The Bears weren't overflowing with talent, but the hope was for Fields to elevate the offense with his abilities. Fields presented more of an issue than a solution, leaving the coaches unable to find the best way to put his athleticism to use. Braggs Jr. echoed this, admitting that it's difficult to structure a team around a player like Fields, but NFL coaches should be up to that task.

"That's not the easiest to mold your offense around, to mold your personnel around a guy that is [a] run first type quarterback. That's who he is, and that's why he's a backup now, and you've got special teams coordinators talking about how they can use him."

The Steelers are an excellent landing spot for Fields, considering that he will be able to take some time and grow into the position while Wilson takes the reins. If the former first-round pick can show patience, what is a backup spot right now could result in the franchise situation he was hoping for when he was originally drafted.

Steelers Have Options With Justin Fields

While the Steelers might not be as serious as Jaylen Warren thought when he let a possible special teams strategy slip on Cameron Heyward's podcast, there are other ways for Fields to contribute without being the starting quarterback. The Steelers have experience finding ways to use a running quarterback's talents, thanks to Kordell Stewart. The player known as "Slash" played a myriad of positions and contributed to a creative approach that was breaking new ground in the NFL.

Fields may not become the next Stewart, but with Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh's new offensive coordinator, ready to breathe new life into the program, options are appreciated. For someone with Fields's abilities, leaving him sitting on the bench—even in a learning role—seems like a waste. With plenty of time before 2024 football starts to count, the Steelers will be able to find the best way for Fields to help the team win.