Justin Fields had a significant opportunity to demonstrate his potential as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback on Friday night in a preseason game against the Houston Texans.
However, the former first-round pick struggled to deliver a flawless performance, leaving room for improvement as he competes for the starting role.
Fields completed 5-of-6 passes for 67 yards, a solid stat line at first glance. However, his performance was marred by two botched exchanges with center Nate Herbig, which cast a shadow over his otherwise efficient night.
The mishandled snaps disrupted the flow of the Steelers’ offense and highlighted an area of concern for the young quarterback.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t shy away from addressing these issues when asked about Fields’ debut. Known for his direct and honest feedback, Tomlin acknowledged the positives in Fields’ performance but was quick to point out that the fumbles were costly.
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“I thought he did some nice things,” Tomlin said, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “But obviously he was a component of the C-Q exchange, and from my perspective that’s dual responsibility on the center and the quarterback. It negated a lot of good things going on in those first couple of drives.”
Tomlin’s remarks underscore the importance of ball security, especially for a quarterback looking to earn a starting position. In the competitive environment of the NFL, even small mistakes can have significant consequences, and Fields’ fumbles serve as a reminder that he still has areas to refine.
For Fields, the challenge is clear. With two more preseason games and numerous practice sessions ahead, he has the time and opportunity to show that he can overcome these early missteps. Tomlin’s feedback, while critical, is also a call to action for Fields to step up and prove that he can be a reliable leader for the Steelers.
As Fields continues to navigate his preseason journey, the pressure is on to improve and make a stronger case for himself as Pittsburgh’s future quarterback.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Fields to demonstrate his growth and readiness to take on the role, knowing that every snap, every exchange, and every decision will be closely scrutinized by Tomlin and the coaching staff.
