Justin Fields wasn’t supposed to be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback to begin the 2024 season. The Steelers also brought in Russell Wilson over the offseason, and the veteran was expected to be the Week 1 starter while the younger Fields served as an understudy. Instead, Wilson came up with a calf injury in practice just before the opener, and Fields has been thrust into duty.
Justin Fields made the best throw that didn’t count of the NFL season
Still thinking about this wild Justin Fields throw that didn’t count.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
So far, so good. The Steelers are 2-0, and Fields is playing efficient if not exactly spectacular football. In wins over the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, Fields has combined for 273 yards passing, one touchdown, and no interceptions, while completing about 70 percent of his passes. Fields isn’t really winning Pittsburgh games, but he’s doing well to keep them afloat while an elite defense does the heavy lifting.
Fields can make some amazing plays when he needs to, as he’s proven throughout his short career with Ohio State and the Chicago Bears before arriving in Pittsburgh. Case in point: midway through the second quarter on Sunday against the Broncos, Fields sprinted right on a bootleg, fired a laser off one foot that traveled 45 yards in the air right into the hands of receiver George Pickens. Unfortunately, the play was called back on a penalty.
Fields’ throw looked incredible on the broadcast, but the All-22 version is even better.
Here’s the broadcast angle if you still want to see it.
We’ve seen some amazing throws through the first two weeks of the NFL season, but this is right up there with any of them. Fields put this right on the money while on a full sprint, all while showing off the arm strength that once made him a prized recruit and first round pick.
It’s going to be hard to bench Fields if the Steelers keep winning. Next up, an undefeated showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh.
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