PITTSBURGH — The Steelers’ quarterback situation is reaching a pivotal moment, as Russell Wilson has recovered and is now “in contention” to start Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, according to coach Mike Tomlin.
Though the debate over who should be the starter continues, Tomlin has yet to officially name one as of Thursday afternoon. When Justin Fields addressed the media, he indicated that he’s approaching his preparation as usual.
However, Fields didn’t sound fully confident about being the starter come Sunday.
“To be honest, I don’t think I played well enough,” Fields admitted. “If I had, there probably wouldn’t be any questions about who should be starting.
“Of course, we’ve won a few games, and I’m happy about that, but there are still areas where I can improve. I’ll keep focusing on those and working to get better.”
Fields in many ways was playing some of the best football of his NFL career during the Steelers’ 4-2 start. His completion percentage (66.3) and passer rating (93.9) are both career highs. He’s thrown for five touchdowns, run for five and thrown just one interception on the season.
When Tomlin was asked on Tuesday where Fields needs to improve, he said, “Justin has been really good. We’ve been really good at times — but not to be confused as great. This is a competitive league. We’re trying to position ourselves to be that team.”
While Fields’ mobility has been a catalyst for the Steelers offense, his passing has been inconsistent at times. During one particular sequence on Sunday, he threw three consecutive errant passes to open receivers, resulting in a field goal attempt.
“Nobody is perfect in one area,” Fields said. “If you’re not perfect, you’re going to want to keep improving.”
Fields said that he leans on his faith and quoted a passage from the Bible that reads: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Said Fields: “Any little setback, I just know it’s going to make me better not only as a person but as a player, too.”
(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)