With undeniable talent, Fields says he has never felt better

by Bo Marchionte
Published August 7, 2024, 03:24 P

Latrobe, PA – Justin Fields is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted athletes in the entire National Football League. His combination of speed, agility and arm strength arouses the crowd repeatedly during training camp at Saint Vincent College.

Unique in his skillset, Fields enters his fourth season in the league with his second team after a 10-28 record with the Chicago Bears. Despite the Bears moving on from Fields, there might not be another player so attractive in terms of the possibilities of being dynamically fantastic. 

“For sure, I think so,” Fields said this is the best he has felt entering any season since his arrival in the NFL in 2021. “You know, I think I’m really comfortable within the offense. Just because we have so many reps. I don’t think I’ve practiced these many times on consistent days in a row. Although it’s hard, it’s good work.”

Despite the known flaws in his game, the moments of his brilliance are what captures our imagination. The result is a masterful performance that leaves the fans in awe and very few players can dial in to the hearts and minds like Fields. 

As one of his harshest critics, I’d be the first to say that he is a rare commodity, and Pittsburgh stole him away from Chicago. If Arthur Smith can develop him by the slightest of margins it could be a bounty of riches for the Steeler. 

“It’s definitely made me better,” Fields said of the reps and increased workload in the Steelers off season.

This afternoon one of the plays most memorable was the play breaking down and Fields taking off towards the end zone pylon before throwing it off scripted to a rerouting Scotty Miller for the touchdown. 

When you are standing on the sidelines and watching something like that develop, it adds to the romance of the game and when great players make great plays. Fields has to begin doing that in live action and adapt the sense of the passing game to fully embrace the talents that we’ve yet to see since his arrival in the league with the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. 

With Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson finally getting into the mix of live reps for the Steelers, it allowed Fields and the other quarterbacks to gain those extra reps that are needed during this crucial stage of the season. 

“Most definitely,” Fields responded to sponging off the knowledge of Wilson. “He’s always throwing in new ideas. Of course, when he is going through drops and throwing, I’m always trying to pick up tips and asking him why he does certain foot work with certain routes.”

The residue of Wilson’s leadership and attention to detail may be another added wrinkle to the possible resurrection of a career that remains vibrant with unlimited upside. This Friday when the Steelers take on the Houston Texans it will allow Fields to build on his positive training camp performances. 

“I’m probably going to give that quote unquote first unit and him included in that a couple of series,” Mike Tomlin said of the work Fields can expect for the Steelers first preseason action in 2024. 

A new team. Another shot at redemption, but Fields said this preseason game is not different from any other game during his career. He is going to approach it like he has done every time he laces up his cleats. 

“I try to ball out each and every game I step on the field,” Fields said.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com