The Pittsburgh Steelers began the 2024 season 1-0 after taking down the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. In a surprising turn of events, it was Justin Fields leading the team to a victory after Russell Wilson re-aggravated his calf injury from the start of training camp. The injury still isn't considered serious, but the team is taking the necessary precautions when it comes to getting Wilson back on the field. After Fields won his first start with Pittsburgh, Head Coach Mike Tomlin had trouble committing to Wilson as the starter whenever he returns to full health.
John Bazemore / Associated Press
Steelers' Justin Fields looks to pass during a game against the Falcons in 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
The organization has been dealing with Wilson's calf injury for far too long. Fans first heard of the issue on the first day of training camp, and the injury caused Wilson to only practice fully for about a week while the team was in Latrobe. Fields got the majority of the reps with the starters, and that showed with how poised and calm he looked during the Week 1 victory. Fields shared a post to Instagram on Wednesday, and he may have been staking his claim on the starting job in the caption.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. 1-0."
There has been a quarterback competition in Pittsburgh ever since Fields was traded there from the Chicago Bears. Immediately it was known that Wilson was in "pole position" to be the starting quarterback, but Fields would be given a chance to compete. Many thought Fields performed well enough during camp and the preseason to take the job, but the starting gig was still handed over to Wilson about a week and a half before the season opener. Now the tables have turned and Fields seems to be close to locking up the starting gig moving forward.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields and Russell Wilson during training camp ahead of the 2024 season.
Nothing has been committed to by Tomlin, but he shared on Tuesday that the team would be preparing for the Denver Broncos as if Fields would be the starting quarterback. Wilson still isn't fully healthy, and this is certainly a game he had circled on his calendar as the Steelers are taking on his former team. It sure does seem as though Fields has taken the reigns in the quarterback room, and he was letting Wilson know. Outlets such as ESPN were even able to put the pieces together and see this may have been a shot at Wilson.
Steelers' Justin Fields Needs To Clean Up The Mental Errors
The Steelers quarterback seemed a bit nervous when the game against the Falcons kicked off. He fumbled a pair of snaps, and missed a wide open receiver on the first drive. It was a sloppy start to the game, but Fields promised fans afterwards that those mental errors would not happen again.
Those errors were difficult to watch, and they made it seem like fans may be in for a long game. However, Fields turned it around. He kept the ball out of harm's way, and consistently used his legs to extend drives. He also completed 17 of his 23 passes, and was extremely accurate throughout the rest of the afternoon.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields looks to pass in Pittsburgh's Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.
He had a clear favorite target in George Pickens, who caught six passes for 85 yards. He also found his tight end Pat Freiermuth four times. Both receiving options are going to need to be big for the Steelers as they prepare to travel to Denver for their Week 2 matchup.
What did you think of Fields' interesting caption on Instagram? Let us know in the comments below!
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