Justin Fields continues to avoid making mistakes. Mike Tomlin keeps steering clear of the topic.
If Tomlin’s backup quarterback keeps playing like this, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach might have to address it soon, especially since Fields is quietly making a strong case to stay the starter even after Russell Wilson’s sore right calf heals.
Fields had his best game yet in a 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, throwing for one touchdown and running for another as the Steelers improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020.
While Fields is quick to say he isn’t doing this by himself—especially on a day when Pittsburgh’s defense held the Chargers (2-1) to just 168 total yards and the offensive line dominated late in the game—he acknowledges he’s not the same player who struggled during three uneven seasons in Chicago before being traded to Pittsburgh in March.
“I feel like I’m just very calm out there, cool, calm and collected on the field and really just that sense of peace out there on the field and not rushing things,” Fields said after completing 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards.
“Internally, my brain, just staying calm in the pocket, making plays when I can and just doing my job.”
Against the Chargers, that meant leading an offense that kept pushing forward for three quarters until Los Angeles eventually wore out.
Pittsburgh’s three fourth-quarter drives ended with a go-ahead field goal from Chris Boswell, a 55-yard touchdown pass from Fields to Calvin Austin III, and a 65-yard drive that took up the last 4:59 of the game, which seemed to drain the will of their opponent.
“It was just clear to the offensive line that they were just done,” said Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr.
Pittsburgh feels like it’s just getting started, as a season that began with many questions—especially at quarterback—has opened with three straight wins that have followed a familiar pattern: close, physical games where the Steelers made all the key plays late.
“I think we’re just seasoned for those moments,” said Pittsburgh defensive tackle Cam Heyward.
This may be because they haven’t had much choice in recent years. The Steelers have had to rely heavily on their defense since the offense struggled to produce consistently.
While there is still a lot of work to do—Fields threw his first interception of the season on a risky pass in the third quarter that ended a potential scoring drive—there is a growing belief that Pittsburgh’s old-school style could be effective in 2024.
“Those are the old Bill Cowher days, 3 yards and a cloud of dust,” said Heyward, referring to Pittsburgh’s former Hall of Fame coach known for his team’s tough playing style.
The Chargers are being built in a similar way under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh. However, Los Angeles struggled to keep up without Justin Herbert.
The Chargers’ starting quarterback began the game despite a sore right ankle that limited his practice time during the week.
He ended the game with his right foot in a boot after being pulled late in the third quarter, shortly after being sacked by Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts.
Herbert completed 12 of 18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown to Quentin Johnston, but he had to watch from the sideline in the fourth quarter as backup Taylor Heinicke struggled against a pass rush that recorded five sacks.
Harbaugh didn’t say what Herbert’s availability might be for next week’s game against Kansas City, but he praised his franchise quarterback’s toughness.
“Every time I think there’s not another rung on the ladder he can go in my esteem, he climbs another one,” Harbaugh said.
Still, the Chargers saw the momentum they built early in the Harbaugh era fade in the fourth quarter. Three defensive penalties extended a Pittsburgh drive that ended with Chris Boswell’s second field goal, giving the Steelers a 13-10 lead.
Heinicke managed to get a first down before punting, and Fields responded by connecting with the 5-foot-9 Austin on a slant, turning it into a game-changing score.
