Justin Fields’ chances of claiming the Steelers’ starting quarterback spot took a hit Friday.
The former Bears quarterback had two fumbles and was sacked twice in his preseason debut against the Texans in Pittsburgh.
“We were just shooting ourselves in the foot,” Fields said. From ESPN“I fumbled the snap. I think in all three phases. So I can definitely improve on that. The snapping part, I just have to stay on the same page. It’s my responsibility to stay on the same page, knowing who’s under center, how I need to adjust, what I need to do.”
Fields completed 6 of 7 passes for 67 yards on three drives, but a botched snap marred what was a much-anticipated debut in the yellow and black.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin praised Fields’ performance apart from the fumble, but said the positives were overshadowed by the near-turnovers.
“I thought he made some good plays,” Tomlin said, “but obviously he was a component of the CQ exchange and the way I look at it, it’s a double responsibility on the center and the quarterback. It ruined a lot of good plays that happened on those first few drives.”
The fourth-year point guard will now serve as Russell Wilson’s backup after spending the majority of his first three seasons as a starter in Chicago.
Fields started in Wilson’s preseason opener after the nine-time Pro Bowl player suffered a calf injury at the start of training camp.
Tomlin said in July that “nothing has changed” about the Steelers’ quarterback pecking order and that Wilson remains the “frontrunner” to start — something he’s maintained since the pair arrived in Pittsburgh in early March.
