Justin Fields of the Steelers – No QB debate if I play better

PITTSBURGH – Although Justin Fields said he doesn’t know whether he or Russell Wilson will start for the Steelers against the New York Jets on Sunday, the quarterback admitted Thursday that he hasn’t been good enough in six starts.

“If I’m honest, I don’t think I played well enough,” Fields said. “If I’m honest with myself, if I played well enough, I don’t think there should be anyone who should play and who shouldn’t.”

“In the end I got a few wins. I’m happy about that, of course, but there are areas where I could be better and I’m just going to keep working on that and keep improving.”

Fields posted a 4-2 record in those starts, and although he leads the league’s quarterbacks with five rushing touchdowns, the Steelers’ offense ranks 28th in passing and 20th in points per game. Fields’ completion rate has also dropped to 57% in the last two games after initially completing 69% of his pass attempts in the first four games.

However, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith didn’t necessarily agree with Fields’ assessment of his play.

“I think sometimes some guys are too hard on themselves,” Smith said. “…You appreciate it in him. That’s why he works so hard, and no one wants to be a martyr, but I mean, I owe it even to time. … It’s never as bad as you think, and sometimes you think you’re playing well and you go back and say, “Hey, we have to wait on a few things.”

“I think that’s why you love working with Justin, because this is real. This isn’t just some cliche that some QB guru or someone told him in passing. I mean, a lot of these guys are hard on themselves and there’s so much of that. Starting to play quarterback, of course about the physical ability, otherwise you wouldn’t be at this level, but for me it’s the mental component that’s the Big one is what separates him from the other starters in this league, and that’s what he strives for.”

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Wilson is “considering” starting now that he is healthy from a lingering calf injury. Wilson, who was not on the practice injury report for the first time all year, took first-team reps Wednesday and led the quarterback rotation in individual drills.

“I want to be 6-0 now, but it was a great opportunity for me,” Fields said when asked if he got what he wanted from his starts. “Of course I’m grateful for the opportunity. I got the first six weeks and we’ll see what happens this week.”

With Wilson potentially in the starting lineup, the Steelers could get a quarterback who has a history of extending the field better with the deep ball. But they would also lose the quarterback mobility component of Fields’ game. Smith said that when choosing a starter, trade-off is part of the calculation.

“They are at completely different points in their careers and I would argue they are different players,” Smith said. “So it’s the give and take. I mean, obviously everyone saw it (Fields’ mobility). It was certainly a weapon for us, especially in situational football, but that’s okay. You just turn around and lean into something else, and that’s what you do.” . That’s our job.”

Fields said that regardless of his role in Sunday’s game, his preparation and approach won’t change – even if that means coming off the bench for certain packages.

“I’m just doing the same thing I did,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m just doing my job, whether it’s playing, helping the guys on the sideline, telling them what I see or helping Russ when he’s out there. So just little things like that.”

Fields also praised Smith, who helped Fields reduce the turnover that plagued him in Chicago. This season, Fields has five passing touchdowns with one interception, as well as 16 sacks and a lost fumble.

“He just pushed me every day to get better developmentally as a quarterback,” Fields said of Smith. “Just a human, actually. I love Arthur. He knows that and yes, I’m glad he’s our OC.”

Smith, who has dealt with several quarterback changes during his tenure as Atlanta’s head coach, recognized the emotional component of a change and how it could affect Fields’ confidence. He said this is something coaches need to consider when making a change.

“Look at everything,” Smith said. “I mean, you try to look at it from every point of view, but that’s why you have to have conversations. No decision is ever easy. … If you become callous or insensitive, you should probably get out of this thing, but. “I think (Field’s) confidence should be high, he’s 4-2, he’s been pretty productive and whatever Mike tells us, I I prepared it one way or another and I just work and that’s my job.”

And while his role may be reduced on Sunday, Fields isn’t ruling out the possibility of contributing to the team throughout the season. “I think you just never know what’s going to happen,” Fields said. “…It’s a long season and life in general is crazy, you just never know.”