Justin Fields. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Why Justin Fields has earned another start for 3-0 Steelers

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Sep 22, 2024 5:08 PM ET

The training camp calf injury to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson opened the door for Justin Fields to get an opportunity. And he is taking advantage of it

Fields has now helped lead the team to a 3-0 start with Sunday's 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

While the first two wins (against the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos) were the football equivalent of a rock fight with almost no offense to speak of, his performance on Sunday should earn him at least one more start regardless of Wilson's health. Fields deserves a chance to continue to prove himself in Pittsburgh's Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Fields looked in command of the offense on Sunday, continued to make smart decisions and had, by far, his best passing day of the season.

He completed 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran for a touchdown in the win.

The interception was his first of the season and the result of a fluke bounce into traffic. If it was to be counted as a mistake, it would be one of the few he's made in three games.

And Fields more than made up for it the rest of the day by utilizing the middle of the field as he led four scoring drives against a Chargers defense that entered Sunday as one of the best in the NFL.

His best play was this perfect 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin in the fourth quarter, giving the Steelers a 10-point lead with about seven minutes to play.

JUSTIN FIELDS TO CALVIN AUSTIN III. 55-YARD TD.

: #LACvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IyvXrXm1pU
— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

The Steelers' quarterback plan in the offseason was for Wilson to be their starter, and he was put into a position to be that. He still might end up starting at some point this season.

But that point should not be their Week 4 game. Not with a 3-0 record. And not with Fields doing everything that has been asked of him so far including taking a significant step forward this week.

Fields' play is especially impressive given the state of the rest of the Steelers' offense.

The Steelers are yet to have their best offensive lineman (injured left guard Isaac Seumalo) and lost starting right tackle (and first-round pick) Troy Fautanu to a knee injury that could sideline him for most, if not all, of the season. Combined with a rookie center (second-round pick Zach Frazier), the Steelers have played with three starting offensive linemen so far who each have less than 10 NFL starts.

That does not even get into the wide receiver situation where George Pickens is the only proven, reliable player. It has not always been pretty. It has not been especially productive. But it is producing wins and getting better.

This would be the wrong time to change course at QB.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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