Steelers Now
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is blocking out the outside noise heading into Sunday’s game against his former team the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“There’s no storyline for me,” Fields said matter-of-factly, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “It’s ball for me, so I’ll let you guys kind of handle the storylines, the news lines and stuff like that. In the locker room, we just keep it straight ball.”
When asked about his mentality going into Sunday’s opener, Fields said, “Cool, calm, collected.”
Fields reiterated that he has no hard feeling toward the Steelers.
“No, not at all,” he said. “Like I told you guys before, I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason. I was in a spot last year where I was able to see the game from a different perspective. I learned a lot from Russ and just all the other vets there, so not at all.”
Fields said he considered returning to the Steelers, but head coach Aaron Glenn played a big factor in his decision of signing with Gang Green.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said it was a mutual parting
“It’s free agency. It was not only our decision but his decision. And so, it was mutual,” Tomlin said. “There’s a lot of moving parts in free agency.”
Tomlin expects Fields’ mobility to present a unique challenge for the Steelers on Sunday.
“He is unique because he is who he is. He’s stronger than most mobile quarterbacks,” Tomlin said. “That’s a component of his game that I think is unique. He’s a really talented guy, physically. He’s not easy to bring down. He’s got a real solid base about him. He’s big.
“And so, when I think about what might be different, I think about his unique physical skill set. But in terms of schematics, I don’t know that the things that they do are gonna be uniquely different from others.”
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also returns to MetLife Stadium after a nasty breakup with the Jets organization.
Rodgers is not afraid to speak his mind, especially when someone crosses him. That was the case with the Jets this offseason when they released the four-time NFL MVP. How the Jets handled the whole situation did not sit well with Rodgers.
“That’s the way it goes sometimes,” Rodgers told Kyle Brandt of NFL Network at training camp when asked about the Steelers facing the Jets in Week 1. “Did they have any inside information? I don’t know. Who were they talking to? I don’t know. But, start off with the Jets, then play Seattle, where DK (Metcalf) just came from… But I’m excited. Get to play the Jets, play the Packers, play the Bears, play the Vikings. It’ll be fun.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Justin Fields Downplays Narrative of Revenge Game vs. Steelers: ‘There’s No Storyline for Me’
