A recent offseason workout video of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has stirred a mix of awe and heartache among fans. It showcased the young gunslinger displaying clear improvements in his passing mechanics.
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Smooth footwork, tighter throwing motion, and refined pocket presence—the kind of development that feels more like salt in an open wound for a Steelers fanbase still smarting from Fields’ short-lived tenure in black and gold.
Fields, once hailed as the future during his brief stint in Pittsburgh, showed flashes of brilliance after arriving from Chicago. The former first-round pick went 4-2 as the Steelers' starter, injecting energy and unpredictability into an offense that had long felt stagnant.
His mobility extended plays, his arm teased potential, and for a moment, it felt like Pittsburgh had finally found a quarterback who could carry the torch into a new era.
Then came the benching.
When Fields was sidelined against the Jets, the writing appeared on the wall. That decision sparked tension. Not just between team and player, but between the front office and a fanbase desperate for stability.
By the time the offseason rolled around, the bridge between Fields and Pittsburgh had burned beyond repair. The Jets swooped in, picking up a hungry dual-threat quarterback with a chip on his shoulder, while the Steelers were left sifting through options.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will regret bitter breakup with Justin Fields
Now, watching Fields tighten up his mechanics and polish his game more is painful. The improvement is undeniable. His motion is quicker and more compact. His timing appears sharper, and his throws—especially on intermediate routes—have more zip and accuracy.
He looks like a quarterback ready to take the next step.
Unfortunately, he’ll be doing that in a different uniform.
For fans who believed in his potential, this progress feels like a gut punch. There’s joy in seeing Fields find his stride, but it’s bittersweet when you know it could have happened in Pittsburgh. The Steelers didn’t just lose a quarterback—they may have lost a future star.
It’s early, and there are no guarantees in the NFL. But if this offseason glimpse of Fields is any indication, the Jets may have struck gold—and the Steelers may have let it slip through their fingers.
