Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields reflected on his one-year stint in the Steel City.
Quarterback Justin Fields’ time with the Pittsburgh Steelers was a rollercoaster, to say the least. He started the first six games of the season before eventually going back to the bench in lieu of veteran Russell Wilson. However, he has no regrets about his one-year stint in Pittsburgh.
“Last year was something that I’ve never experienced throughout my life,” Fields said on Up & Adams. “I learned a lot from [Russell Wilson] and I learned a lot from being over there in general. I’m thankful for my time over there. I think I did need to take a step back and see it from a different perspective, not only football, but life in general. Last year was definitely good for me.”
How did last year with the Steelers and Russell Wilson affect Justin Fields' mindset?
“I think I did need to take a step back and see it from a different perspective" @heykayadams | @justnfields | @nyjets @steelers pic.twitter.com/OYzLb6mZSL
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 29, 2025
Fields continued to flash the upside that made him the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft last season. He threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 231 yards and five more scores while leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start.
His play wasn’t good enough, though, as Pittsburgh still turned back to Wilson when he was fully healthy from a calf injury that he suffered during the early portions of training camp.
Fields didn’t take the time he learned behind Wilson for granted, though.
“I think it just reminded me of the players in the locker room. You can’t really explain it, the swag, the confidence that everybody has. Just that mindset going into every game that you’ve put in the work and now it’s time to go out there and dominate,” Fields continued. “It reminded me of that and just being in that winning culture. Glad I got to spend that time over there, and now I’m here, trying to implement the same thing I saw last year.”
Only time will tell if Fields will be able to translate his success over with the Jets, but the Steelers are certainly hoping that’s not the case, at least until after their Week 1 matchup.
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets this offseason after turning down the Steelers’ lesser-guaranteed offer.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Justin Fields ‘Thankful’ for Time With Steelers
