Justin Fields shares his true feelings on what it means to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1
He’s ready for the challenge.
When Justin Fields walked off the Pittsburgh Steelers football field after his start against the Las Vegas Raiders, it was his last in the black and gold. It seemed insane at the time, given the Steelers were 4-2. But then they won 6 out of their next 7 with Russell Wilson before the whole thing imploded and they started from scratch.
There was a point where it seemed like Fields would be back, and both sides entertained the thought of staying together, but an agreement couldn’t be met, and now Fields is a member of the New York Jets, and their old quarterback is on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A Freaky Friday situation in real life, Fields could be resentful about the situation and the Steelers decision to ultimately move on, but he decided to take the high road instead.
Justin Fields not viewing Sunday as a revenge game
“There’s no storyline for me,” Fields told Jets media. “It’s ball for me, so I’ll let you guys kind of handle the storylines, the news lines and stuff like that. In the locker room, we just keep it straight ball.”
Perhaps it’s a little tongue and cheek and I’m sure Fields will be motivated, but I tend to believe him here.
Was he benched? Yes. Did the team ultimately decide that they wouldn’t meet his demands when it came to making him as the starter, absolutely. But not one time during his tenure with the Steelers did Fields come off as anything short of grateful. He applauded Arthur Smith and the Steelers offense, saying he was tired of having to learn new systems.
So why leave? Well, that’s just how free agency goes sometimes…
“You know, it’s free agency. It was not only our decision, it was his decision, and so it was mutual,” said Tomlin when asked Tuesday about how things ended with Fields. “There’s a lot of moving parts and free agency, and so I wouldn’t present it in a manner in which you asked.”
At the end of the day, the competitor in Fields is not going to go quietly into the game as if it’s just another Sunday start. His debut for the Jets, in Week 1 and against the team that let him walk will have him ready to go.
But these two parties may have actually left on good terms.
Until the ball is kicked off on Sunday that is.
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Mike Tomlin reveals why Justin Fields left for the Jets ahead of his game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1
There will be a lot of chips on shoulders.
