Two victories, constant snaps, and progress are all elements in a extra assured Justin Fields. Whereas the outcomes have to enhance, the Pittsburgh Steelers really feel near displaying their offensive potential.
In Dianna Russini’s newest article for The Athletic, she weighs in on the Steelers’ quarterback scenario and the way Fields seems like he’s making strides beneath new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
“Tomlin’s 2-0 Steelers are beginning Justin Fields of their house opener and hoping the elements on this offense begin cooking up one thing scrumptious. I’m listening to they really feel that they’re near it, too. Fields is getting extra assured and cozy in Arthur Smith’s offense.”
That confidence tracks with Fields’ apply reps. The season opener was a hearth drill. Fields went from backup Thursday morning to potential starter later that day when Russell Wilson reported a calf damage. No closing willpower was made till shortly earlier than kickoff following a Wilson pre-game warmup. With restricted reps and a tricky Atlanta Falcons secondary, the Steelers fastidiously managed Fields and stored every part to the sideline whereas specializing in his dashing potential.
Heading into Week 2, Fields served because the starter all through all the week of apply. That opened up the playbook towards the Denver Broncos, utilizing a larger no-huddle bundle and extra areas of the sector. Whereas Fields nonetheless solely threw the ball 20 occasions, the offense didn’t really feel as closed off.
Fields’ confidence in Smith is a mutual feeling. The extra Fields performs inside the scheme whereas flashing his big-time expertise, the extra Smith and the offense will give him to do. Going through a stingy Los Angeles Chargers’ entrance seven hellbent on stopping the run, Fields may shoulder extra of the load tomorrow afternoon. Utilizing the center of the sector could be potential for the primary time this season, the Chargers operating extra two-high security seems to be and not using a ball-hawking security like Atlanta’s Jessie Bates.
This was a uncommon and utterly new scenario: three new quarterbacks to exchange the three who made up the 2023 roster, a brand new offensive coordinator, and a brand new quarterbacks coach. There have been tons of shifting items that required a feeling-out interval the place everybody discovered about everybody. There’s no larger check than in-stadium motion. To date, Smith and Fields are passing.
If Fields retains constructing and the Steelers maintain successful, the staff might be assured in retaining him because the starter even after Wilson reaches one hundred pc well being.
