Jets teammates praise Justin Fields after loss to Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers getting some revenge on a New York Jets team that showed him the door earlier this year proved to be the biggest storyline of the Jets' 34-32 home loss to the Steelers on Sunday afternoon. 

Thus, the stellar play of Jets signal-caller Justin Fields was somewhat overshadowed once Pittsburgh's Jalen Ramsey iced the game away with a crunching hit on Gang Green wide receiver Garrett Wilson with fewer than 30 seconds remaining in the contest. 

Following the defeat, Wilson offered high praise for his QB1, who was first his teammate when the two featured for Ohio State. 

Justin Fields was "the man" Garrett Wilson knows versus Pittsburgh

"That boy was a dog," Wilson said about Fields, per Alex Smith of SNY. "That’s the man I know. He comes out and puts everything on the field every time, every play. He doesn’t give up on anything, and I know stuff like that is inspiring to the dudes on the field with him, and probably to the dudes watching. It felt good to be back out there with Justin. I know that he’s got my back and I’ve got his, and that’s the mentality, the mindset, the relationship that we’re going to take into every week."

Fields didn't inspire much confidence among outsiders with his performances from the start of training camp through the end of the preseason. However, he completed 16-of-22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown against what is, on paper, a solid Steelers defense. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, Fields became only the third player in Jets history to throw for a touchdown and rush for two in a single game. 

A big positive Justin Fields brings the Jets as their QB1

"He brings a sense of calm," Jets running back Breece Hall added about Fields while speaking with reporters after the loss, via SNY. "He never gets too high, never gets too low. I'm hurting for him. Obviously, you never want to lose to your old team or whatever, but I think he commanded the offense, had control of the offense and he was a great leader for us today."

Fields went 4-2 across six starts for the Steelers last season. Pittsburgh nevertheless let him reach free agency this past March. 

The Jets can escape Fields' two-year contract as soon as next offseason, but the 26-year-old could potentially earn a multi-year extension if he builds upon his outing against Pittsburgh through January. He and the Jets will next host the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 14.

The Bills earned a thrilling 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.