New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields had no reaction to seeing that the Jets are playing his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers , to open the season.
"That's who we play Week 1. There wasn't really a thought to that," Fields told reporters on Thursday.
In a new documentary released by the Jets, Fields explained why he signed with Gang Green in free agency. Head coach Aaron Glenn played a big factor in the decision.
"I'm definitely super excited to just be here," Fields said. "Meeting all of the new coaches and everybody around the building. Really just excited for a fresh start. We're ready to get to work. So, super excited. I chose the Jets because No. 1, AG. The kind of coach he is, how passionate he is about the game, and really just what he brings to the table. Changing the culture around here and wanting to win games and wanting to be great. He knows what it takes to build a team up from the ground up and really get them going. I think that's why AG is the right guy for the job."
Fields, who played in Chicago for three years before spending last season with the Steelers, used to play Aaron Glenn's Detroit Lions ' defensive unit twice a year in the NFC North. Glenn was the Lions defensive coordinator before being named the Jets head coach earlier this offseason.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Steelers offered Fields a contract similar to the Jets' offer, but he chose the Jets over the Steelers.
"Look, last week or a week and a half ago, they put together an offer for Justin Fields that I was told was very competitive with what the Jets offered him, which was two years 40 million with 30 million guaranteed," Fowler said on the Dan Patrick Show in March. "Something went off where he chose the Jets and he must have felt the love more from the Jets than he did the Steelers who essentially benched him last year for Russell Wilson . So he gets a fresh start. I do believe they were all in on Fields. I don't know if they had Fields ahead of (Aaron) Rodgers , but they were willing to do Fields. Like both sides at one point were open to it. It didn't work."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields at practice on Nov. 26, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
According to NFL insider, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith really wanted Fields to stay in Pittsburgh.
"I will say this Arthur Smith really wanted [Fields] to stay in Pittsburgh," Palmer said during a Bleacher Report Q&A Session . "He thought he could get him some playoff wins. That's what Arthur Smith thought of Justin Fields."
Fields reflected on his one season with the Steelers during his Jets introductory press conference. It was a tumultuous season for Fields, as he started off 4-2 as the team's starter before being benched for the rest of the year in place of veteran Russell Wilson.
Fields handled the benching like a true professional, but it wasn't easy for him.
"It was different for me and a space I wasn't really comfortable. But Coach Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team," Fields said , via Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic. "I'm never going to go against that. I just tried to change my perspective and get better in practice."
Fields threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception while leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start to the season. He also rushed for 231 yards and five touchdowns during the span.
Wilson, on the other hand, threw for 1,784 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions while going 6-1 before the team's late-season collapse.
Despite the setback last season, Fields was grateful for his one year with the Steelers organization.
"I did what I was asked to do, and I've never had a problem with that. I've always been a team player, I've always been advocating on putting myself behind the team," Fields said. "I'm not gonna get too much into depth on what happened in Chicago and what happened last year with Pittsburgh, but I'm grateful for all the experiences that I've had. I've met a lot of great people there, built a lot of great relationships that will last a lifetime. Of course the more time you have in the league, the more experience you have, so I think I'm progressing and getting better each and every year, so I'm excited to get things rolling this year."
Fields and the Jets will open against the Steelers at MetLife Stadium in Week 1. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
The Steelers are still waiting Aaron Rodgers to make a decision, but if the four-time league MVP ends up in the Black and Gold, the Steelers-Jets Week 1 game will be filled with storylines.
Rodgers would love nothing more than to get revenge on the Jets. I'm sure, Fields will want to show up his former team, as well.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Justin Fields Reveals Thoughts on Steelers-Jets Week 1 Game
