Steelers' Justin Fields Shares Interesting Reaction To National Media's Coverage Of QB Battle

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has been a major storyline this offseason. During the 2023 season, the team cycled through three quarterbacks—Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph. Collectively, they managed only 13 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions, resulting in a lackluster offensive performance.

Following the disappointing season, the Steelers looked outside the organization for improvement, signing Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. They then traded away Pickett. After trading Pickett, they had a chance to trade for Justin Fields. Wilson is widely considered the frontrunner for the starting job, with Head Coach Mike Tomlin indicating that he's in pole position. Many expect Wilson to be named the starter soon.

The national media has been actively debating who is the best fit to lead the Steelers' offense. After practice on Tuesday, Fields addressed the media and was asked about the coverage of the quarterback battle. He revealed that he doesn’t pay much attention to the media discussions and is instead focused on working hard to improve.

"I mean me and him [Russell Wilson] really don’t pay attention to the outside stuff," Fields said. "I know me personally, I don’t watch ESPN or SportsCenter or anything like that. I really haven’t talked about it to be honest with you. I just come in here and work."

Fields finds himself in a unique situation in Pittsburgh. Drafted by the Chicago Bears as the hopeful future of the franchise, he spent three seasons there before the team decided to move on. During his time with the Bears, Fields threw 40 touchdown passes but also recorded 30 interceptions. While he has undeniable talent and raw potential, his inconsistency has raised concerns among some pundits about his future in the NFL.

Asked about the Steelers' offense, Fields expressed confidence in the new system being implemented by Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. He is optimistic about the direction the offense is taking and believes the system will bring positive results.

"Yeah I mean you know, I definitely think we have gotten more comfortable with the offense. Not just in reps in practice, but game reps and I feel like everybody has gotten more comfortable and more fluid within the offense for sure."

The quarterback debate surrounding the Steelers shows no signs of slowing down. The national media will continue to weigh in on who they believe is best suited to lead the offense.

Wilson brings a wealth of veteran experience and a proven track record, including nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl win. However, his recent two seasons with the Denver Broncos were very underwhelming, with just 11 wins over two years as the starter, despite throwing 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2023.

Steelers Face Tough Choice After The 2024 Season Ends

Many believe Wilson is the best option for immediate success, while Fields represents the potential future. The Steelers will face a significant decision at the end of the 2024 season: whether to invest in Wilson or Fields. It's unlikely they'll keep both beyond this season.

Currently, Wilson is expected to be the starter, though this has yet to be officially confirmed. Fields will have the opportunity to compete for the job throughout the season. Some pundits have even suggested that Wilson's leash could be short if he doesn’t perform well. The performance of these new Steelers quarterbacks will be a key storyline throughout the 2024 season. Whether it's Wilson or Fields, many believe the Steelers will have improved quarterback play throughout the entire season.

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