The Pittsburgh Steelers were all on the practice field Tuesday as the team's Organized Team Activities began. New faces were seen donning the Black and Gold, including four new quarterbacks in Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen, and John Rhys Plumlee. Allen is the surefire third stringer, while Plumlee will be on the practice squad if the team wants him to stick around. Wilson and Fields are in a quarterback competition, where Wilson is the presumptive starter for the 2024 season.
Wilson is the more accomplished player, and the more experienced NFL quarterback. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has repeatedly said that Wilson is in "pole position" for the starting job, but the two quarterbacks will compete ahead of the season. Fields has struggled a bit to start his NFL career, but there is no denying his incredible athleticism. Even if he does begin the season as the backup to Wilson, there is a possibility he will still see the field on plays designed for him. Drew Brees even recently suggested Pittsburgh use Fields in the same way the New Orleans Saints use Taysom Hill, as a gadget player.
Broderick Jones was asked about the possibility of this happening during a locker room scrum following the team's first practice of OTAs on Tuesday.
"You never know, you know. We got a whole new scheme, whole new offense. There's no telling what they might throw at us."
Hill was a college quarterback at BYU. He then joined the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft. He was eventually released by the Packers and signed with the New Orleans Saints, where he served as the third string quarterback who was used as a kick returner, tight end, and full back as well. Fields has the athleticism to make a similar impact with the Steelers.
Arthur Smith was one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL during his time with the Tennessee Titans, and has shown he has the creativity in his play design to make something like this happen. Jones answered the question about Fields playing a similar role to Hill with a smile on his face, and even brought the subject up himself earlier in the interview.
"I just wish both of them the best, even like what Drew Brees said earlier about using one of the quarterbacks like a Taysom Hill if possible. If it presents itself."
The Steelers team sees the athleticism of Fields, and clearly like the versatility it could add to the offense, even if it's not at quarterback. Fields has had tons of success as a rusher at the NFL level. He rushed for over 1,100 yards during the 2022 season and ran in 8 touchdowns. He might not be seen as a pass catching option, like Hill is for the Saints, but could certainly be utilized in the rushing attack.
Steelers' Justin Fields Is Still Determined To Win Starting Job
Fields is the clear cut backup quarterback heading into OTAs. He would likely need to have an immaculate performance during training camp to take the starting gig away from Wilson. Despite this, Fields has shown nothing but determination when asked about the quarterback competition in Pittsburgh this summer. Fields made it clear following his first practice in a Steelers uniform that he and Wilson are competing against one another every day.
Fields struggled as the starter for the Chicago Bears, but there wasn't much stability around him within the organization. He had two head coaches and two offensive coordinators during his time in Chicago, and there wasn't much of an attempt to surround him with a good supporting staff.
In Pittsburgh, it is the complete opposite. He has an established offensive coordinator, and Tomlin is one of the best head coaches in the league. Pittsburgh has a promising rushing attack that could help any quarterback succeed as well, so Fields would be expected to perform at a much higher level with the Steelers if he becomes the starter at any point in the season.
