Steelers QB Justin Fields issues harsh critique of his game after giving job to Russell Wilson

Justin Fields gave a harsh assessment of his own play following the news that Russell Wilson would receive first-team practice reps at quarterback.

Wilson was scheduled to start the season as Pittsburgh’s starting center, but suffered a calf injury before the opener against Atlanta, giving Fields the starting role for the final six weeks.

And while the former Bears pass rusher has shown some glimpses of his ability — and the team has gone 4-2 with him playing — he doesn’t feel like he’s made the most of the opportunity to earn the starting job.

“I don’t think I played well enough if I’m honest with you,” he told reporters on Thursday.

‘If I’m being honest with myself, if I played well enough, I don’t think there would be any kind of (question) about who should play and who shouldn’t. We got some wins, of course I’m happy with that, but there are areas where it could be better.

Justin Fields is expected to cede Steelers QB job to Russell Wilson after six weeks

Fields played respectably for the Steelers, but feels he could have done better at center

Fields threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns, throwing just one interception. He also rushed for 231 yards and five touchdowns.

However, the Steelers have just the 20th-ranked offensive rating in the league at 20.7 points per contest, and Fields has completed just under 57 percent of his passes over the last two contests.

Wilson, 35, has yet to appear in an official game for the Steelers seven months after signing a one-year contract in Pittsburgh for the veteran minimum of $1.2 million.

Coach Mike Tomlin always stated that Wilson was in ‘pole position’ for the starting role during the pre-season, although he was unable to start the regular season in that role due to injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin decided to give Wilson first-team practice reps

Wilson arrived in Pittsburgh with a strong pedigree as a passer, although his final two seasons in Denver didn’t go as planned.

There, Wilson posted an 11–19 record as the team missed the playoffs in both seasons, although he was better in 2023 as he passed for 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

Wilson was a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, helping lead the team to the Super Bowl in 2014, and Steelers fans hope to see that version of him in Pittsburgh.