Justin Fields has started 44 NFL games, including six earlier this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As far as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is concerned, Fields is no mere circus sideshow.
“I still view Justin as a premium starter,” Smith said before practice Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “When you have two starting quarterbacks, it’s a unique situation.
“You don’t want to overdo (special packages for Fields). Every time he comes in there, he’s not a gadget guy. He’s a quarterback.”
Fields made his “special package” debut Sunday during the Steelers’ 18-16 victory against the Baltimore Ravens. After not being called upon during any of the previous three games since Russell Wilson took over as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, Fields was deployed for three snaps against the Ravens.
The first two of which, Fields had carries of 8 and 9 yards, respectively. The latter came on a second-and-10 from the Steelers’ 30-yard line with 1 minute, 2 seconds to play and the Steelers clinging to a two-point lead. Fields stayed on the field for the ensuing third-and-1 but handed off to Najee Harris, who got the first down to effectively seal the crucial AFC North victory.
Fields’ first carry came on a second-and-11 early in the third quarter.
“There’s a fine line to do it,” Smith said of when to use Fields. “I don’t view Justin in this role as a ‘gadget guy.’ Justin to me is (a heck) of a football player. (So) if he can help the team, and there’s a fine line.”
Fields’ appearance Sunday was his first in an NFL game where he did not serve as starting quarterback since Week 2 of his rookie season in 2021 with Chicago. Fields, in that game, took over for injured starter Andy Dalton. Fields’ only career appearance in a “gadget” role was his NFL debut Sept. 12, 2021, when he played five snaps, threw two passes and rushed once during a loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Fields did play a special-package role as a true freshman at Georgia in 2018 behind starting quarterback Jake Fromm.
Smith said Fields is embracing the role for the Steelers. Smith also said he intended to break it out earlier against Baltimore, but circumstances kept getting in the way.
Smith has a history as a play-caller using such players. As Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator in 2019, he used Marcus Mariota as a change-of-pace to Ryan Tannehill.
“Different situation with the different players, but you know, I still view Justin as a premium starter in this league so it’s a fine line,” Smith said. “You don’t want to be a gadget guy, but he can help the team, and he is one of the better football players out there.”
