Jets' Justin Fields shares true feelings on Steelers before Week 1 matchup

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is set to face his former team to begin the regular season on Sunday. Fields will face off against a Pittsburgh Steelers offense led by his former NFC North rival, Aaron Rodgers.

Fields was asked on Tuesday if he had any ill will toward Pittsburgh for the way things went after he was benched for Russell Wilson. Fields went 4-2 as a starter last season.

"No, not at all," Fields said via ESPN's Rich Cimini. "Like I told you guys before, I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason. I was in a spot last year where I was able to see the game from a different perspective. I learned a lot from (Russell Wilson) and just all the other vets there, so not at all."

Fields showed improvement during his first year outside the Chicago Bears system. He had his best numbers in completion percentage (65.8) and a five-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio. He finished with 1,106 yards passing and added 289 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. 

Following the season, Fields considered re-signing with the Steelers after the team moved on from Wilson. Instead, he signed a two-year contract with the Jets worth $40 million, $30 million guaranteed. The deal is believed to be better than what Pittsburgh offered.

Fields was adamant that the Steelers' offer in free agency and what transpired on the field last season wouldn't be a factor in his prep this week.

"There's no storyline for me," Fields. "It's ball for me, so I'll let you guys kind of handle the storylines, the news lines and stuff like that. In the locker room, we just keep it straight ball."

Fields isn't giving a hungry Pittsburgh defense led by star pass rusher T.J. Watt any bulletin board material before Sunday's game. But a win over the Steelers would have to feel redemptive for the former first-round pick.