Justin Fields made the transition to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason after being traded from the Chicago Bears for a conditional late-round draft pick. During a recent episode of the “Not Just Football” podcast with teammate Cameron Heyward, Fields disclosed that he was not without options; at least three other NFL teams showed interest in acquiring him before the start of the 2024 season.
Fields identified several teams that reached out, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders. However, he emphasized his desire to avoid situations where he would be competing behind established quarterbacks who had recently signed lucrative contracts. He specifically mentioned that teams like the Chargers and Ravens had solidified starters, which influenced his decision-making process.
At the time of the trade, the Steelers had signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal as their starting quarterback. However, Wilson’s lackluster performance in previous seasons with the Denver Broncos and his subsequent calf injury opened the door for Fields to step in as the starting quarterback. This injury allowed Fields the opportunity to prove himself, as he was eager to take on a more prominent role in Pittsburgh.
In the meantime, other teams that showed interest in Fields opted for different quarterback strategies. The Chargers secured Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons to serve as a backup for Justin Herbert, while the Ravens decided to retain veteran Josh Johnson behind Lamar Jackson. The Raiders, on their part, brought in Gardner Minshew to challenge Aidan O’Connell, leaving the field open for Fields to shine with the Steelers.
Since joining Pittsburgh, Fields has enjoyed significant success, leading the team to a perfect 3-0 record and achieving a career-high 73.3% completion rate. His performance has prompted Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to announce that Fields will make his fourth consecutive start against the Indianapolis Colts. This strong showing not only solidifies Fields’ position as the starting quarterback but also showcases his potential to thrive in a new environment.
