Justin Fields took first-team reps at Steelers training camp. Here’s why originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Old Bears signal caller Justin Campos saw some action at Steelers training camp on Thursday with Russell Wilson out.
Wilson, the Steelers’ presumed starter at this point, is feeling tightness in his calf. Coach Mike Tomlin told the media he is “day to day.” Wilson wanted to train, but Tomlin kept him away to avoid the risk of injury.
As a result, Fields showed himself in training with the starting team. He made deep, accurate throws, quick slant throws and avoided sacks to make throws on the run.
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The Bears traded Fields to the Steelers on March 16 for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft that could turn into a fourth-round pick if Fields plays at least 51% of the snaps this season.
That’s unlikely to happen unless Wilson gets hurt or Fields plays exponentially better than him. But Tomlin said Wednesday that nothing has changed on that front. Wilson is still the team’s de facto starter.
Fields is playing in the final year of his rookie contract after the Steelers declined to pick up his fifth-year option earlier this offseason. But he’s not a standard backup quarterback for the Steelers. If it doesn’t work out with the team, Fields serves as insurance for Wilson’s one-year contract.
In three seasons with the Bears, Fields is 10-28 as a starter. He threw for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. He has also rushed for over 2,000 yards in his career, including the 2022 season in which he rushed for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns.
