Justin Fields Strengths and Weakness, Part 2: Passing Potential
The offseason is well underway for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and with it comes a looming decision at the quarterback position. Should the team keep Justin Fields or Russell Wilson in 2025 as their quarterback? Despite recent reports, it looks as if Russell Wilson could be one-and-done in Pittsburgh, so you would think they would turn to Fields as their man in 2025, and potentially beyond.
While Fields could earn a better contract elsewhere, our own Coach KT Smith has decided to take to his Twitter/X account and start a series of short videos on what strengths and weaknesses reside in Fields’ game.
Part 1 of the series was based on Fields’ Pocket presence. You can see all previous parts of the series below:
Part 1: Pocket Presence
In Part 2 of the series Coach Smith dives into Fields’ potential as a passer. This has several videos tied to it, which you can see below:
Posting short videos on the strengths and weaknesses of Justin Fields. Here are a couple of clips from the Dallas game in Week 5 that examine Fields’s ability to process and go through progressions from the pocket. Check it out ⬇️@FFSNSteelCity pic.twitter.com/wthoxF8AeC
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) February 8, 2025
Continuing with our short videos on Justin Fields. Today we’re looking at Fields’s ability to extend plays from the pocket vs. holding the ball too long and taking sacks. Check it out ⬇️@FFSNSteelCity pic.twitter.com/dKuSVjMF2o
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) February 9, 2025
Continuing today with our breakdowns on the strengths and weaknesses of Justin Fields. Here’s a look at Fields’ prowess throwing the deep ball:@FFSNSteelCity pic.twitter.com/o0WwWs5tWC
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) February 11, 2025
Often times we forget we only saw Fields for six games, as he helped orchestrate a 4-2 record for the Steelers in 2024 before being forced to give the reigns over to Wilson. What Fields showed was likely just a glimpse of what he could do, but the reason for me sharing Coach Smith’s videos is he doesn’t crown him as the heir apparent to some quarterback throne, but merely shows both the strengths and weaknesses to his game.
I’ll keep posting these as they come, but it is important to also remember how a full offseason with Arthur Smith could emphasize some of these strengths and possibly decrease some of the weaknesses.
Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the offseason.
The more I watch of Fields, the more encouraged I am. But as Jeff said above, he’s not a guy who is this generational talent who will transform the offense alone. He’s a valuable piece with great potential who, like the Eagles have done with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, could become an upper-echelon QB with the right pieces around him.
If the Steelers resign Hurts and commit to him, they need to build a modern offense with talented skill position players and a strong OL. His best attributes will shine in a system that presents the defense with more of a threat than Fields running and chucking up deep balls.
100% agree, and Hurts is exactly who I think he’s most like.
Great stuff Coach! I agree they need to “work with him…” but not just “coach him”, design an offense for who he is right now that can be expanded into who you want him to become. I don’t want to see them try to force him into an offense that doesn’t fit him.
I agree, but my question is this…
Is Arthur Smith the right man for the job? To create that offense?
I think he COULD be. I think it would be better for Fields this season to not change his OC on him yet again, so for that reason I’ve been fine with Smith coming back this year. But if it doesn’t work, that just sets things back even more (but could put the Steelers in a closer place to grab the next QB in 2026). That’s if the Steelers are able to bring Fields back.
I’d have to go back and check, but has Fields ever had an OC for two straight years? I know he’s never had one three straight seasons…
I think your right, in a sense I see Smith and Fields as a package deal… if it works out then great because then you have your potential franchise guy and a OC that believes in him. But if not I don’t even know it sets them back because then they will actually be in a position to take on of the QBs in the potentially stacked 2026 QB class. Then with that QB you can bring in a new OC with experience in growing a young QB.
Last season did not inspire me with confidence that he is, buuuut he’s who we got.
I agree with Dave that he could be, but I feel like that discussion ultimately takes us right back to who’s really in charge of the offense.
IF the rumors are true… and that’s a big if… Smith is said to have preferred Fields as the team’s QB over Wilson. Maybe that’s a scheme thing, or a potential thing, or maybe a control thing. Whatever it is, it gives me hope that Smith feels he can design an offense in which Fields will be successful.
That said, having just gone through all of the games in which Fields started, it really looks like an offense designed for Wilson. Which I’m inclined to believe it was, considering Wilson was anointed the starter when he was signed. Point being, if the Steelers run back the 2024 offense next year, don’t get your hopes up. For Fields to succeed, it will have to look significantly different.
Good stuff! I think I’d be disappointed if it’s anyone but fields next year. As much as we clowned on the “moon ball” by the end of the season, i would like to see fields develop some of that. Sometimes it seems like he “bullet passes” (for you madden players) every throw vs putting some touch on the ball. Either way, the throws to Pickens and Freiermuth vs the colts were beautiful.
I think maybe for Fields you have to change the offense a little. I hate to keep harkening back to Philadelphia, but they figured out how to make Hurts work for them. They are great running and have just enough passing to make the offense very effective. Just like in the Super Bowl the Steelers shut done Barkley, but Fields did enough to win. There was nothing otherworldly. Just good solid decisions on some easy throws.
Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts’ best plays from 3-touchdown game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Week 15
Oh, absolutely. The offense Fields ran the first six weeks was tailored towards Wilson, because he was the guy they expected to be the starter. Arthur Smith is sharp enough to understand that an offense for Fields has to include more plays from the gun, more spread sets and more read-option concepts. I’d be shocked (and terribly disappointed) if they ran back the 2024 offense next season with Fields.