Fields 'stable as a rock' in his Steelers debut

ATLANTA — Justin Fields did not count on to make his first regular-season begin as a Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback enjoying simply 30 miles south of his hometown. However when Russell Wilson got here to him pregame Sunday and informed him he was up, that is precisely what occurred.

Although Fields and the offense did not rating a landing, the Steelers slipped previous the Atlanta Falcons 18-10 due to a franchise-tying six discipline targets by kicker Chris Boswell for a win in Fields’ debut.

“Personally, it is nice,” mentioned Fields, who accomplished 17 of 23 makes an attempt for 156 yards. “I’ve a bunch of household right here, household and buddies, previous highschool teammates, so simply the setting, I actually could not ask for it a greater approach.

“God positive does work in mysterious methods, so I am simply grateful for him, and actually simply this second with my workforce. However simply coming again residence, with the ability to get a dub towards the hometown workforce was nice.”

Fields did not speculate about what his efficiency might imply for his likelihood to begin one other sport as Wilson continues to work again from aggravating his coaching camp calf harm.

“To be sincere, I am not even apprehensive about that,” Fields mentioned. “I simply got here in wanting a win, and I am glad that we’re leaving right here with a win. So by way of who’s beginning, who’s not, all I wish to do is win on the finish of the day. I am actually not even going to get into all of that. … On the finish of the day, I got here right here to win. Regardless of if I used to be going to throw for 300 yards, 100 yards, no yards, I got here right here to win. In order that’s the one focus I had.”

Wilson went by a 15-minute heat up, testing his calf as he navigated a collection of throws with Steelers gear staffers earlier than retreating to the locker room about two and a half hours earlier than kickoff to inform Fields he would play.

Afterward, coach Mike Tomlin praised Fields’ resiliency as he navigated the considerably surprising begin, penalty-laden collection and stalled drives.

“As I’ve gotten to know him, man, he’s an actual regular Eddie,” Tomlin mentioned. “He isn’t overly talkative, however he is bought a gradual, sturdy demeanor and simply being in stadium with the person, a number of the issues that I’ve seen by workforce improvement had been confirmed. It is simply good to have the ability to talk with a man when issues get thick, and also you see the clear eyes. He is there. He is stable as a rock, and I believe his play and thus our play is form of reflective of that.”

However the coach supplied little perception on how Fields’ efficiency might have an effect on the quarterback depth chart getting into the Week 2 sport towards the Denver Broncos.

“You may come ask me that query on Tuesday,” he mentioned when requested concerning the beginning quarterbacks.

Fields’ afternoon did not get off to probably the most auspicious begin. He and rookie heart Zach Frazier had a miscue on the primary snap alternate, one thing that occurred a number of occasions within the preseason, and Fields’ first snap was a fumble.

Then, he missed the throw to a wide-open Van Jefferson on the following play and one other to Najee Harris a pair performs later. That drive resulted in a 57-yard discipline purpose by Boswell, certainly one of three from past 50 yards, setting a franchise file.

“We positively bought off to a sluggish begin, particularly the primary play after which I missed the throw to Van, however after the primary drive I really feel like we settled in a little bit bit, and particularly as the sport went alongside, positively settled in.

“… I haven’t got a purpose [for the slow start], however simply know that will not occur once more.”

The Steelers trailed 10-9 at halftime, and Fields was 11-of-13 for 83 yards, although 33 of these yards got here on an enormous move play to George Pickens simply earlier than halftime. With out that throw, Fields averaged simply 1.7 air yards per try and tried solely three passes greater than 5 yards down the sphere within the first half.

As a substitute, Fields used his legs to achieve floor. He had 5 carries for 26 yards within the first half, together with a 12-yard scamper, and completed with 14 carries for 57 yards.

“Justin with the ability to run is a large plus for our offense, as a result of when you’re in a position to run the ball, it opens up so many issues,” offensive lineman Broderick Jones mentioned. “So with him going a method and then you definately bought Najee or Jaylen going the opposite, it is onerous for protection to maintain the eyes on each. We simply bought to proceed to implement that into our offense and simply proceed to make it work.”

Although the offensive line was enjoying with two new starters, one a rookie, Fields was sacked simply twice, each within the second half. One got here as Grady Jarrett beat James Daniels on the inside and the second as Fields held on to the ball as an alternative of throwing it away.

“I felt clear just about probably the most day,” Fields mentioned. “I believe on one of many sacks, I positively might have simply bought the ball out faster, throwing the ball away. However I believe general they did an important job, and I do know they don’t seem to be going to do something however hold getting higher.”

Within the second half, Fields made his longest play of the sport with a 40-yard dime to Pickens within the third quarter. Pickens fell down as he made the catch, however as a result of he did not consider he had been touched, he jumped up and ran the ball for a number of extra yards earlier than lastly being introduced down. The officers, although, dominated Pickens was down by contact after making the catch and stored the play to a 40-yard acquire. The completion, made on the primary play of the collection, did not jump-start the offense, although. False begin and unlawful shift penalties killed the drive, and Boswell got here out for a 40-yard discipline purpose to provide the Steelers a 15-10 lead.

Even after Fields aired it out, the Steelers continued to lean on brief throws and the bottom sport by the second half. Nonetheless, that recipe helped the offense transfer the ball pretty effectively within the second half. Fields linked with Pat Freiermuth for a 10-yard acquire on a dart within the fourth quarter, and Najee Harris had a 20-yard run.

“It will get us going,” Fields mentioned of the deep balls. “I believe the O-line did an important job right now defending, protecting me clear on these longer creating performs. And naturally GP, he is all the time going to make performs for you downfield. So actually only a credit score to the o-line, working backs, blocking and receivers doing their factor.”