The Steelers’ quarterback has been slinging the ball
As training camp begins to pick up steam for the Pittsburgh Steelers, so too do the respective position battles that raise the talent of those fighting for more playing time. Here are the biggest winners from Day 2 of Steelers’ camp.
QB Justin Fields
Fields continues to sling the ball and look good doing it. He got the first-team reps for a second straight practice with Russell Wilson not participating with the calf injury he is working through.
Fields hit George Pickens on a deep ball over the middle of the field that ended with Pickens doing a somersault into the end zone.
Justin Fields goes DEEP to George Pickens at #Steelers training camp! pic.twitter.com/iIxaXhTHEQ
— Steelers Update (@SteelersUpdate1) July 26, 2024
He also connected with Calvin Austin on a deep completion later on in the day, on top of getting a respectable gain on a read option play.
Justin Fields finds Calvin Austin deep in 7-on-7. 30+ yard completion.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 26, 2024
Steelers run a read option and Justin Fields took for about 10 yards untouched.
So, there’s Smith’s QB run game that he had in Atlanta.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 26, 2024
I know many believed this wasn’t an actual competition between Fields and Wilson entering camp. Even if that was the case, Fields is making sure everyone takes notice that he’s here to compete and win the job. He’s had a very good start to camp.
CB Beanie Bishop
Bishop continues to show why he should be the Week 1 starter at nickel. He had good coverage on Van Jefferson in seven shots to force an incompletion, and stayed tight on Calvin Austin while running a slot fade.
Steelers tried to get it to Van Jefferson again towards the back pylon out of the slot. It’s incomplete. Beanie Bishop in good coverage.
3-1 defense.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 26, 2024
Beanie Bishop with great coverage on a slot fade targeted towards Calvin Austin III.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 26, 2024
It certainly looks like he is the far-and-away leader thus far to be the starter in the slot.
CB Donte Jackson
Jackson had another impressive day. He had tight coverage on George Pickens downfield ad got a hand on a pass from Fields intended for Pickens to force the incompletion.
Big play one on one with George Pickens from newly acquired CB Donte Jackson. pic.twitter.com/IfylwvtnXf
— Baku (@Mazursky8895) July 26, 2024
Joey Porter Jr praised Jackson after practice and gives him major praise for being a helpful teammate.
“Man, it’s so unreal,” Porter said. “The guy that you always used to watch on YouTube, or just watching his highlights, and now he’s asking you for tips and questions. It was kind of the same thing with Patrick Peterson. I was always a big fan of him, a Hall of Famer, and the fact that I got to play alongside of him last year was so unreal. I just keep getting blessed with these guys I get to play next to, so I’m just happy.”
Joey Porter Jr. says he always admired how Donte Jackson plays. Jackson told us on Wednesday that he’s been looking to Porter for tips on playing in this defense, so I asked JPJ what that’s been like:
“Man, it’s so unreal. The guy that you always used to watch on YouTube, or… pic.twitter.com/FUxpOq3aiB
— Amanda Godsey (@AmandaFGodsey) July 26, 2024
The Steelers seemed to have found a very good running mate for Porter, and that trade is looking better by the minute.
TE Pat Freiermuth
Freiermuth is someone that’s been heavily discussed over the last few days. He caught a 20-yard pass from Fields over DeShon Elliott, and was said to be moving around the offense a ton on Day 1.
Another nice throw from Fields to Pat Freiermuth. Great placement to lead the TE with Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott in pursuit.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 26, 2024
Whether he’s playing in the slot or being lined up as a traditional tight end, Freiermuth is in for a big year, and he’s showing that thus far.
WR Calvin Austin III
Hey man, I can admit when I’m wrong and it appears I was wrong about Calvin Austin.
Building off of what was a very good offseason program, Austin has made some flashy plays in camp. He caught a long ball today from Fields, which was perfectly placed over Beanie Bishop and before Minkah Fitzpatrick could get over to make a play on the ball.
Perfectly placed ball by Justin Fields and nice snag between 2 defenders from Austin III. pic.twitter.com/c32wX7t19h
— Baku (@Mazursky8895) July 26, 2024
The Steelers could be leaning into having Austin be the WR3 on the team and starting in the slot. If that’s the case, they may try to work Roman Wilson into being the predominant outside guy opposite of George Pickens. In any case, Austin has had a very good few months of showing that he can be a playmaker for the Steelers.