Steelers Now
Evading pressure and making plays with his legs, Justin Fields came close to getting past the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. A New York Jets win would’ve been sweet for the fifth-year quarterback, who was benched despite playing well in black and gold last season. Nonetheless, he left analysts impressed with his performance.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith argued on Monday’s “First Take” that Fields had the most impressive debut of Week 1, over Steelers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, who threw four touchdowns.
“Justin Fields shocked the hell out of me, because he was throwing some dimes out there, now,” Smith said. “He wasn’t just running with the football. He was throwing some dimes out there. The offense was moving. I’m paying attention to (Tanner) Engstrand because, obviously, he’s your new offensive coordinator. … I didn’t expect that.
“I’ll say this much. If Justin Fields had looked like that, if he continues to look like that, I’d be looking at the Steelers like, ‘What the hell you let him go for?’ Even though you’ve got Aaron Rodgers.”
Fields finished his day having gone 16 of 22 for 218 yards and a passing touchdown. He ran for 48 yards and two other scores on 12 carries. Fields started the Steelers’ initial six contest a season ago. He went 4-2 before head coach Mike Tomlin gave Russell Wilson the reins.
Fields signed a two-year deal to join the Jets as a free agent in March and later credited a “fresh start” as part of the reason why. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave his side of the relationship last Tuesday.
“You know, it’s free agency,” Tomlin said. “It was not only our decision, it was his decision. And so it was mutual.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Prominent Analyst Warns That Steelers Will Regret Letting Justin Fields Walk
