Justin Fields ‘comfortable’ in preseason ‘growth’ of Steelers’ offense, his role in it

Justin Fields joined the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade in March. About six weeks prior, Arthur Smith was hired as offensive coordinator.

In the approximately six months since, Fields believes the players have adjusted well to their new play caller.

“I think we’ve all got more comfortable with the offense,” Fields said after Tuesday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “From reps in practice and in-game reps, we’ve all gotten more fluid in it for sure.

“Everybody has grown with the offense. Everyone has grown each and every week. It’s been good.”

Fields consistently has served as the quarterback for the second-team offense throughout the summer, camp and preseason, with the notable exception of when Russell Wilson missed time because of a calf injury. The two joined the Steelers about a week apart as the NFL’s new league year began in March.

Two of the highest-profile and biggest-name QBs who switched teams this offseason, Wilson and Fields often are discussed in the endless NFL news cycle by national media.

“I don’t watch ESPN or SportsCenter or anything like that,” Fields said. “We really haven’t had any talk about it, to be honest with you. We just come in and work.”

Justin Fields “doesn’t watch ESPN or SportsCenter” and says he and Russell Wilson aren’t aware of any of the national chatter about the Steelers QBs pic.twitter.com/5BDkW6pEBW

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 27, 2024

As is common, Fields repped the quarterback-center exchange this week at practice. It maybe took on a heightened urgency because Saturday, for the third time in three preseason games, the Steelers endured a botched snap with Fields in the game against the Detroit Lions.

Tuesday, Fields characterized the gaffe as rookie center Zach Frazier misinterpreting a pre-snap message.

“I changed the protection. We were going on a silent count,” Fields said. “Left guard (Spencer Anderson) heard me change it, but Zach didn’t hear me change it. We used silent cadence, the guard to tap. When Spencer heard that, Zach didn’t hear me. He was telling him that I said that so he tapped him. Zach’s not thinking that he’s telling him what the protection was so … Zach is thinking it’s an indicator for the snap. I was motioning to (receiver Calvin Austin III), that’s what happened on that. I’m just glad it hit my hands so it didn’t go farther back.

“It’s something that would happen 1% of the time. I’m glad it happened in the preseason.”