The Chicago Bears getting the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft meant that Justin Fields was going to be without a job. The Pittsburgh Steelers quickly decided to trade for him shortly after adding Russell Wilson on a one-year deal, forcing Fields to become the backup upon his arrival.
A Wilson leg injury gave Fields the starting QB keys for the first six games, and the Steelers went 4-2. Fields was once again back on the bench when Wilson came back. Wilson started hot (winning six of seven games) before crashing down to Earth and losing four in a row.
With the playoffs up next, how much playing time will Fields get?
What Is Justin Fields’ Injury?
Fields suffered an abdomen injury while rushing for eight yards in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. While they ended up losing the game, the blow to the QB might have bigger ramifications.
Fields had been limited at practice and even missed the next two games. Fortunately, his full participation in practice suggested he was available for Week 18 and beyond.
While he did not take the field against the Cincinnati Bengals in the final game of the year, Fields has made a full recovery and remains at offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s disposal. Barring a new injury, he won’t carry an injury designation as Pittsburgh prepares for the Baltimore Ravens.
With the struggles for Wilson piling up in recent weeks, he’s dropped down to 17th in PFN’s QB+ metric with a C rating and a 75.7 score. A shift to Fields, who would have ranked 15th if he qualified, might be on the table in some capacity.
Why Was Fields Benched?
When Fields took on the starting QB role to begin the season, the expectation was that Wilson, who had been named starter after training camp, would take over when healthy. However, Fields continued playing well and the Steelers were rolling, leading many to believe head coach Mike Tomlin would continue with what was working.
Even though he never confirmed Fields as the starter, common consensus led many to believe the quarterback would be keeping his spot. After a 4-2 start that saw Fields complete 65% of his passes for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns (with another five on the ground), Tomlin still pulled the plug.
Giving Wilson the starting job earned Tomlin immediate criticism but eventual praise. The Steelers rose to 10-3, looking like a Super Bowl contender in Wilson’s first seven starts.
However, a late-season slide commenced as Pittsburgh ran through a gauntlet of division rivals and playoff favorites. The Steelers finished at 10-7, albeit with the walls closing in. That same noise Tomlin heard when he sent Fields to the bench has returned, and with no room for error, there will be calls for the backup to see the field in Baltimore on Saturday.