Steelers Receive Warning About Playing Justin Fields In Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been on a quest for eight seasons to win a game in the postseason. The black and gold are confident that either Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph can achieve that with the current roster, which no longer includes Justin Fields or Russell Wilson. Fields was the first to leave of the two Steelers' 2024 starting quarterbacks, as the Jets offered him a larger two-year contract than Pittsburgh. Prior to the 2025 NFL schedule release, it was already known that the Steelers would face the Jets at some point, but at what point during the season was unknown. 

With the full 2025 schedule being released on Wednesday night, the Steelers quickly learned that their first regular season opponent this season will be Fields and the Jets at MetLife Stadium. It could be a return to New York for Rodgers, too, if he ends up joining forces with the Steelers as many are expecting. The NFL typically tends to create intriguing Week 1 matchups, especially when an opportunity presents itself for a "revenge" game. 

In 2024, Fields was the team's starting quarterback for the first six weeks due to Wilson's calf injury, which he suffered during the preseason. Fields was benched for Wilson before Week 7 of 2024, when Rodgers and the Jets headed to Pittsburgh for Sunday Night Football. There is some revenge to be had for both parties, whether it's Fields or Rodgers. 

Fields has more to prove to the Steelers than Rodgers does to the Jets. With the Steelers in need of a franchise quarterback, Fields did what he could to prove his worth and potential as the offense's quarterback under center. 

Nonetheless, it wasn't enough for the Steelers' front office, and it would be Wilson who would finish the 2024 season as the starter. On Friday, former Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa explained how Fields and the Jets are going to play with chips on their shoulders in Week 1 of 2025. 

"I don't think there's any animosity for [Justin Fields] against the Steelers," Enunwa said. "But I know from what he's spoken about, they didn't let him be his best self at quarterback, right? There was a little bit of they didn't have confidence in him to be the starter. They didn't give him the reins to just go ahead and do everything he wanted to do." 

Enunwa then explained how the Jets have a new head coach, Aaron Glenn, who might be the guy who finally breaks Fields loose.

"So I think he wants to go out there and show like, 'This is what I'm capable of.' One thing I like about [Aaron Glenn] is that he's putting a lot of confidence in his coaches, so we're going to see, hopefully, the best version of him because they're going to coach him hard."

Following his departure from Pittsburgh, and even during the 2024 season, it became widely evident that Mike Tomlin was unable to put his trust in Fields, which put a large effect on the entire situation. It originally affected how the Steelers began to call plays on offense, and it also didn't help Fields' confidence in any way. 

When Tomlin wanted to switch from Fields to Wilson before the Jets game last season, Arthur Smith was pushing to keep Fields in the lineup after leading them to a 4-2 start.

Along with Fields and Rodgers, there are other players that are certainly looking to bounce back in Week 1 of 2025 that Enunwa also pointed out during his interview. In last year's stint, Garrett Wilson had a poor outing against Pittsburgh as Beanie Bishop Jr. snagged two passes intended for Wilson for interceptions.  

Enunwa expects both Fields and Garrett to be dialed in and ready for the Steelers during opening week, and it'll be the first time the duo will be back in action on a football field together since their days at Ohio State.

Steelers Players Have Big Games Circled On Their Schedules 

Rodgers, if he signs with the Steelers as opposed to retiring, will not only get a chance to get some revenge on the Jets, but the Steelers also host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, under the lights, midway through the season. 

Additionally, the Steelers' home opener in Week 2 will come against the Seattle Seahawks, which will be the first time DK Metcalf will run into his former team since the big trade between the two organizations. Like Fields, there's another former 2024 starting offensive member that will get a chance for some revenge against Pitsburgh - Najee Harris with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. 

Which Steelers matchups are you most excited for in 2025? How do you think Fields and Wilson will perform against the Steelers in Week 1? Let us know in the comments below.

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