Justin Fields has big afternoon in former Wisconsin quarterback’s absence

Justin Fields has big afternoon in former Wisconsin quarterback’s absence

Former Wisconsin and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson missed his fourth consecutive game to open the 2024 season on Sunday. He remains sidelined with a lingering calf issue.

In his fourth game serving as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, former Chicago Bears’ starter Justin Fields notched 22 completions, a season-best 317 passing yards, one passing touchdown and a 104.0 passer rating in the Steelers’ 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis.

Fields also recorded 55 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the Steelers’ first loss of the 2024 season.

The performance came one week after he tallied 25 completions, 245 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one interception in the Steelers’ 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.

Despite the loss, the back-to-back outputs may have solidified Fields’ position as the Steelers’ starter for the long-term. While head coach Mike Tomlin has hesitated in previous weeks about assigning a title to the Steelers’ starting quarterback, Fields has done more than enough to earn the title.

With the AFC North’s Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals in free fall, the Steelers possess a division lead with Fields at the helm. Barring any major setback on Fields’ side, there isn’t much of a rush to get Wilson onto the gridiron in the coming weeks.

Again, Wilson donned a full uniform, eye black and a head set throughout the entire game. The former Super Bowl champion will surely do the same in Week 5 against the Cowboys.