David Carr Thinks Justin Fields Has Legit Chance to Be Steelers Starting QB

Russell Wilson is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback as of right now, but that could change after training camp and the preseason. Once the pads come on this summer, Justin Fields very well could showcase that he’s a superior talent.

Former NFL quarterback and current NFL Network analyst David Carr reiterated on NFL Total Access on Monday that Fields has a legit chance to supplant Wilson as the starting quarterback.

“I think it’s a real competition because you don’t necessarily (know) where Justin Fields is at, like where his headspace is. How does he feel coming into this thing? Carr said. “If we get the physical dominant athlete that we’ve seen with Justin, I really believe he has some untapped potential as far as throwing the football. I think that in this Arthur Smith offense, the ability of Russ, the experience, I don’t know it it necessarily matters as much as maybe it would somewhere else on other teams.

“This is gonna be more of an athletic competition. This is gonna be, can you utilize the run game, make some dynamic plays outside the pocket. Russ is clearly capable of that, but Justin Fields, as we’ve seen, is on another level at times. So if Arthur Smith can get something outta him, he probably is the guy.”

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has repeatedly stated that Wilson has “pole position” to be the starting quarterback, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a competition. Wilson is just the starter as of now because of his pedigree.

“When it’s time to compete, we get into training camp-like settings, and going to preseason stadiums and so-forth, obviously Justin will be given an opportunity to show his capabilities,” Tomlin said at the NFL owner’s meetings in Orlando on Monday.

Fields took a small step forward in 2023, his third year as Chicago’s starting quarterback. The Ohio State alum threw 370 times, completing 227 for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions and maintained an 86.3 passer rating and a 5.29 adjusted net yards per attempt.

In 2022, he was 192 of 318 for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, an 85.2 quarterback rating and 4.63 adjusted net yards per attempt.

Since 2022, Fields has the most rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,800 yards and 6.3 yards per carry. Both figures are higher than Lamar Jackson’s.