Justin Fields Shares Biggest Learning Lesson From Steelers Tenure

Justin Fields underwent a challenging experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.

Fields split starting quarterback responsibilities with 13-year veteran Russell Wilson. The duo became the main focus at training camp, with a split audience drawing its line in the sand between which of the two should be named the starter. It was an experience unlike anything that Fields, a 2018 first-rounder selected by the Chicago Bears, had encountered during his first three seasons.

Now a member of the New York Jets, Fields explained his biggest learning lesson from playing in Pittsburgh.

“You can’t take things personal,” Fields told reporters during his first media availability since signing a two-year deal, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “That’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, not to take anything personal. At the end of the day, I was just excited of what the Jets had going on here with (Aaron Glenn) and just with the coaching staff, so it didn’t really have anything to do with Pittsburgh.”

Although it wasn’t easy to go 50/50 with Wilson in Pittsburgh, patience and poise paid off for Fields when the time came. Fields entered free agency after starting the first six games for the Steelers last season and landed a $40 million payday as New York’s replacement for Aaron Rodgers. So while it seemed like a setback once Fields joined the Steelers, the short-lived stint didn’t go unrewarded once the offseason came around.

“Coach (Mike) Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team, and I’m never going to go against that,” Fields said. “I’m not a selfish guy whatsoever, so I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.”

Fields guided Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start to the campaign, completing 65.8% of his attempts while throwing five touchdowns and one interception amid the stretch. The 26-year-old finished the season throwing for 1,106 yards across 10 appearances while the Steelers tumbled their way to a wild-card playoff exit.

So while everything might not have gone as planned for Fields and the Steelers, it wasn’t a total dud.

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