Steelers Now
Connor Hughes of SNY reveals former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields had an up and down first few practices with the New York Jets.
The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly wanted quarterback Justin Fields back, and considered him their first choice to be their quarterback for 2025. But that isn’t how things played out as Fields opted to join the New York Jets in free agency.
Connor Hughes of SNY reveals that may have been a good thing following a few up and down practices with the Jets.
“The defense sacked Fields on six of his 10 drop backs. Fields completed three of the other four. Two were dump-offs to Jeremy Ruckert. One was a short pass to Wilson,” Hughes wrote on X. “The miss was a little alarming. The Jets blitzed. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand dialed up a perfect beater that had Josh Reynolds open on a corner route without safety help. It seemed a pretty easy pitch-and-catch for a would-be long gainer (potential touchdown). Fields missed him pretty bad.”
All eyes were on #Jets QB Justin Fields. Understandably. Sure, he was in his underwear, as Glenn called it, but this was the first time to see the Jets' new quarterback doing football-like things on a football field. The downside: There isn’t too much to talk about with him off… pic.twitter.com/BZDsKusVjK
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) May 21, 2025
Hughes did note that it was “not ideal conditions” for airing the football out, adding it was in the low 50s with rain and wind. But Fields is no stranger to poor conditions after playing in Chicago and Pittsburgh to start his NFL career.
Fields has all the tools he needs to be an elite quarterback in the NFL, but he has yet to put it all together. That is the exact reason why the Steelers were unwilling to give him as much money as the as the Jets were this offseason.
That doesn’t mean Fields will never get there, though. The 26-year-old had his best season in 2024, throwing for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception while leading Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start to the season. He also rushed for 231 yards and five more scores before being benched for quarterback Russell Wilson.
Hughes revealed it wasn’t all bad during Fields’ first few practices, either.
“He looked solid in the seven-on-seven portion of practice,” Hughes wrote. “There is undeniable zip on his passes. He had two highlights (one to Garrett Wilson, another to Allen Lazard) in the deeper middle portion of the field between a few defenders. Very pretty.”
It is difficult to accurately assess players this time of year, especially without the pads on, but if Fields continues stacking similar performances, maybe it’s for the best the Steelers ended up going in a different direction.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers QB Justin Fields Has ‘Alarming’ Practices with Jets
