Justin Fields fumbled a crucial opportunity to gain momentum for the QB1 job this season during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game on Friday night. Fields and center Nate Herbig had a fumble during the center-quarterback exchange on each of their first two drives of the night.
Justin Fields blew another opportunity
Fields has been given a golden opportunity to eclipse veteran quarterback Russell Wilson for the QB1 job after Wilson missed the start of training camp due to a calf injury. Wilson did not play in the Steelers preseason game against the Houston Texans on Friday night.
However, Fields was unable to take advantage of his extra reps in the preseason. Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky published a breakdown of the two fumbled exchanges. He suggests the miscommunication was between Fields and Herbig.
3 plays from Fields for @steelers
-Snap Details
-Pace of drop still an issue pic.twitter.com/APyOQEXlGM— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 10, 2024
Fields and Nate Herbig took the blame
According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Herbig took 100 percent of the blame for the fumbled snaps. Fields also decided to accept responsibility for the mishaps:
“We were just shooting ourselves in the foot,” Fields said. “Fumbled snap, I think all three phases, so we can definitely be better in that part.
“And I think the snapping part, we just got to be on the same page. I’ll put that on me to just be on the same page and know who’s in that center or know how to adjust and what I need to do.”
Fields felt like the offense was in a good rhythm while he was out there but said the fumbled snaps killed the team’s momentum.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin agreed.
Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: Fumbles negated good things
Per ESPN, Tomlin said Fields made some good plays against the Texans. However, the fumbled snaps negated any positive progress Fields and the offensive showed in the first two drives:
“I thought he did some nice things,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “But obviously he was a component of the C-Q exchange, and from my perspective that’s dual responsibility on the center and the quarterback. It negated a lot of good things going on in those first couple of drives.”
Tomlin sent Fields a clear message amid a quarterback battle in training camp. Fields blew his opportunity to show he was ready to be the QB1 in a game setting.
The Steelers expect Russell Wilson to play against the Buffalo Bills next Saturday. Given the mistakes by Fields and Herbig, one would assume Wilson will get the starting reps against the Bills. If Fields has any chance to take back the QB1 job in camp, he’ll have to do it by impressing the coaching staff on the second unit.
That or Wilson will have to fumble his opportunity.
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