Justin Fields Challenges Russell Wilson for Steelers Starting Quarterback Role

Despite being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential backup to Russell Wilson, Justin Fields openly expresses his desire to start at quarterback in Week 1. Fields' competitive spirit and drive to prove himself may shake up the Steelers' depth chart.

Justin Fields, the former Chicago Bears quarterback, has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers with a clear goal in mind: to start at quarterback in Week 1. Despite the presence of Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, Fields is not interested in being a backup and is embracing the competition.

"I'm definitely competing," Fields declared to reporters. "Russ knows that. We're competing against each other every day."

Fields' competitive spirit stems from a desire to prove his worth after a challenging tenure with the Bears. While he showcased flashes of brilliance, his 10-28 record was a source of frustration. However, Fields believes he has learned from those experiences and is ready to contribute immediately to the Steelers.

"I'm coming in here every day giving it all I got and pushing him [Wilson] to be his best, and he's pushing me to be my best every single day," Fields added.

This competition is particularly significant given Wilson's struggles in Denver last season. The Broncos finished 4-11 with Wilson at the helm, casting doubt on his ability to lead the Steelers to success. Fields' presence creates a potential threat to Wilson's starting role and adds intrigue to the Steelers' offseason.

Fields acknowledged the "ups and downs" he experienced with the Bears but expressed gratitude for being traded to Pittsburgh, a place he "wanted to be." He commended Bears GM Ryan Poles for honoring his request to be moved to a preferred destination.

"I'm not naive to the fact that — I can read body language and stuff like that," Fields said about his trade. "It wasn't really just a shock to where it's like, 'Oh, I got traded.' I knew what was going to happen beforehand."

The Steelers, meanwhile, are eager to resolve their quarterback conundrum after years of instability at the position. Bringing in Wilson and Fields signals their commitment to finding a long-term solution. However, Fields' determination to start could lead to an unexpected shake-up in the depth chart.

The Steelers' offseason is set to be dominated by the quarterback competition between Wilson and Fields. Both quarterbacks are proven commodities, but Fields' hunger and competitive fire may prove to be a decisive factor in who ultimately emerges as the starter in Week 1.