The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of quarterback purgatory as Aaron Rodgers is set to be the starter for the 2025 season. The spot on the roster has completely turned over for the second season in a row, as both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson started games at quarterback for Pittsburgh in 2024. Both quarterbacks played well at times and won games for the Steelers, but the organization didn't seem to have any interest in bringing Wilson back and Fields got an offer from the New York Jets in free agency that was too good to pass up.
AP Photo / Matt Freed
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a game.
Fields' career was teetering when he was traded to the Steelers from the Chicago Bears. He had an up and down career in Chicago, but many believed there was still some untapped potential.
He played well enough in Pittsburgh to earn a good offer in free agency from the Jets, and he now has a solid chance to revive his career as the unquestioned starter for New York. He joined Kay Adams on Up & Adams from training camp, and he was asked what he was able to take from his time in Pittsburgh.
"The players in the locker room." Fields said. "You can't really explain it. The swag, the confidence everybody has, just that mindset going into every game. You've put in the work, now it's time to go out there and dominate at the end of the day. So it kind of reminded me of that, and just being in that winning culture over there. So, like I said, I'm glad I got to spend that time over there, and now I'm here trying to implement the same thing I saw last year, here."
The young quarterback had never been in a winning environment until he came to Pittsburgh. He experienced good cultures at Georgia and Ohio State during his collegiate career, but that was not the case in Chicago. There was always turnover on the coaching staff and it didn't seem like he had a great team around him, which was not the case with the Steelers.
New York Jets
Justin Fields after signing a new contract with the New York Jets in 2025.
Fields mentioned there was always a certain amount of swag in the locker room in Pittsburgh, and it felt like the team had a chance going into every game. That comes from the veteran leadership on the roster, and the history of winning under Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
Fans have grown frustrated with Tomlin due to the lack of recent playoff success, but the coach always has his team in the playoff race at the end of the year. Fields' comments show that fans should probably be more grateful for the winning culture that Tomlin has curated in Pittsburgh.
The quarterback started six games at the beginning of the year for the Steelers before Wilson returned to full health. He led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start, and he played efficient football and limited his mistakes. In those games he threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, while also running for 231 yards and five scores.
New York Jets
Justin Fields in New York after signing with the Jets in 2025.
Steelers Get To See Justin Fields Early In 2025
A lot of fans were disappointed when Pittsburgh was unable to bring Fields back in 2025, but the offer from the Jets was too hard to beat. Now, Pittsburgh will be squaring off against New York in Week 1. Fields will be facing a large challenge as he will go up against what is considered one of the best defenses in the NFL. The secondary is considered upgraded, and the defensive line and inside linebackers will only improve.
The greatness of the pass rush goes without saying thanks to having a player like TJ Watt, but Fields' legs could help him avoid some pressure. The game will have incredibly high stakes as Fields will be playing his former team, as will Rodgers, who spent the last two seasons on the Jets and was released by them during the 2025 offseason.
What do you think of Fields' comments? What are your predictions for Week 1? Let us know in the comments below!
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