Jets QB Justin Fields says he wasn't 'comfortable' with backup role with Steelers

NEW YORK — During his four seasons in the NFL, Justin Fields hasn’t been in the best of situations.

That includes last season when he started six games with the Steelers and was later benched after Russell Wilson (calf) was fully healthy.

In his first media availability after signing a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, Fields took the high road and said he believes things happen for a reason.

“I was put in a place where I was never in my entire life,” Fields said. “I tried to have a different perspective on it. Of course, Russ has been in the league for a long time, so I learned a lot of great things from him.

“Got to learn a different perspective of things. He’s been in the league a long time. Just seeing how he works every day, seeing his routine and picking things that I can implement into my routine into my game. It was, of course, different for me in a space where I wasn’t necessarily comfortable.

“At the end of the day, Coach Tomlin made a decision what he thought was best for the team and I’m never going to go against that. I’m not a selfish guy whatsoever. I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.”

Last season was undoubtedly a change for Fields, who has mostly been the top quarterback on the depth chart on whatever team he has been with. A five-star recruit from Kennesaw, Ga., Fields was rated the No. 2 player in the country after fellow Georgia native Trevor Lawrence in 2018.

Fields initially attended Georgia and was the Bulldogs’ backup his freshman season in 2018. However, he transferred to Ohio State in 2019 and became one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. In 22 games for the Buckeyes, Fields passed for 5,373 yards, 63 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

That led to Fields being drafted 11th overall by the Bears in 2021. But after a 10-28 record and an uneven three years in Chicago in which he threw for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, Fields was traded to the Steelers last offseason to be Wilson’s backup.

After Wilson’s calf injury in training camp last summer, Fields began last season as the Steelers’ starting quarterback. He registered a 4-2 record, but Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin benched Fields in favor of Wilson after he was healthy, a move that reportedly divided the locker room.

The Steelers made the playoffs with a 10-7 record, but their offense struggled during a five-game losing streak to end the season. Fields says his benching did not factor into his decision to sign with the Jets.

“In this league, I kind of have the mindset that you can’t take things personal,” Fields said. “That’s what I’ve learned over the years, not to take anything personal.

“At the end of the day, I was just excited about what the Jets had going on here with A.G. [Aaron Glenn], the coaching staff, and everything like that. It really didn’t have anything to do with Pittsburgh, but just the opportunity I had here to make an impact and get things going.”

The Jets needed a quarterback after they released Aaron Rodgers last month after two seasons. During the NFL annual meetings last week in Palm Beach, Fla., Glenn said the Jets coaching staff plans to let Fields be a quarterback, not just an athlete who plays the position.

“I do think he brings the dimension to this game that a lot of people are trying to create around this league that we can take advantage of,” Glenn said about Fields. “I want to try and utilize that as much as possible.

“We are going to let him play quarterback. That’s always what he wanted to do. I’m not saying he hasn’t had a chance to play that or do that in other places, but I know what I want to do with that player. Obviously, I want to utilize his legs, but also, I want to give him a chance to go out there and play quarterback.”

Passing wasn’t Fields’ strong area during his three years starting for the Bears (2021-23). He completed just 60.3% of his passes and struggled with turnovers.

However, Fields’ passing improved during his small sample size with the Steelers. He registered a career-high completion percentage of 65.8% in 10 games (six starts).

Fields is better known for his running ability after recording 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground in four seasons. With the Bears in 2022, Fields finished with 1,143 rushing yards (second most all time by a QB) and eight touchdowns.

“I did what I was asked to do and I’ve never had a problem with that,” Fields said. “I’ve always been a team player. I’ve always been advocating on putting myself behind the team.

“I’m not going to get too much in-depth on what was happening in Chicago and what happened last year with Pittsburgh. But I’m grateful for all the experiences that I’ve had. I’ve met a lot of great people and built a lot of great relationships that will last a lifetime. The more time you have in the league, the more experience you have. I think I’m progressing and getting better each and every year.”

Having familiar college buddies is never bad for a quarterback, and Fields will have that with the Jets. Garrett Wilson, who played with Fields for two seasons at Ohio State, is the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. Tight end Jeremy Ruckert and center Josh Myers, who also played with Fields at Ohio State, are also on the Jets roster.

“We played together in college and when I saw him, it was really like the old days,” Fields said about Wilson. “I don’t think our relationship skipped a beat. I’m definitely excited to play with him, guys like Ruck [Ruckert] and Josh Myers.

“I’m excited for that and of course, things that we can do to help get each other better and get back on the same page as we were in college. I’m definitely excited to be back on the field with him for sure.”