It only took one game for Steelers to regret huge Justin Fields decision
While more headlines gravitated toward Aaron Rodgers’ chance at revenge against the New York Jets, it was Justin Fields who exacted his measure of vengeance against the Steelers in bold fashion.
During the second half, CBS play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle said Fields told him in their production meetings that the ex-Steelers QB knew his former team better than Pittsburgh knew him and the new-look Jets. Fields proved himself right with his performance in the season opener.
While Fields didn’t have the last laugh, falling to Pittsburgh in a tight contest throughout, he certainly made everyone in Pittsburgh think twice about his departure.
Justin Fields made the Pittsburgh Steelers pay for letting him walk
Despite showing poor accuracy during his preseason outings, Fields began the game on a heater, leading the Jets on four consecutive scoring drives, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson in the first quarter.
Fields was certainly supported by the Jets' rushing attack, which averaged 4.7 yards per carry, finishing with 182 yards on the ground. Nothing about the Jets' offensive game plan should have come as a surprise to the Steelers’ defense, which opened the season with a flat performance.
The potent rushing attack wasn’t without assistance from Fields, who picked up 48 yards on 12 carries, including two scores. Despite the Steelers' familiarity with Fields and usual success against Lamar Jackson, the Pittsburgh defense had few answers for Fields on read-option plays and his scrambling attempts.
But Fields parlayed the success on the ground into rhythm through the air. Fields was as sharp as he’s ever shown NFL fans he can be, completing 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards.
Fields had the ball last and came up short, but he showed why many Steelers fans would have been happy with him returning to the franchise had the chips fallen that way this past offseason. He may be 0-1 to start his Jets tenure, but if Fields can stack performances like he put up against Pittsburgh, he may very well be on his way to reviving his career in New York.
49ers Trade Proposal Lands Major Christian McCaffrey Insurance
The 2024 NFL campaign was definitely one to forget for the San Francisco 49ers, who went just 6-11 one year after making it all the way to the Super Bowl.
To be fair, the 49ers were absolutely ravaged by injuries last season, so it stands to reason that they could be back with a vengeance in 2025, even if they lost some key pieces over the last several months.
One major source of concern for San Francisco, however, is the running back position. Christian McCaffrey is among the league's best when healthy, but injuries have certainly sapped him, and beyond McCaffrey, the Niners' depth at the position is less than stellar.
The Washington Commanders may have an answer for the 49ers in Brian Robinson, and Bleacher Report's Moe Moton has connected San Francisco to a trade for the Commanders' halfback.
"If the 49ers want to lighten Christian McCaffrey's workload, they must add a durable running back to the rotation," Moton wrote. "Robinson can grind out yards between the tackles, which would allow McCaffrey to stay fresh for the length of the regular season."
Moton has San Francisco sending a couple of Day 3 draft picks to Washington in exchange for Robinson, who registered 799 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season. He also averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
Robinson has not lived up to expectations since being selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he has at least been serviceable and has displayed some versatility. In 2023, for example, Robinson caught 36 passes for 368 yards and four scores. He showed similar receiving capabilities at Alabama, too.
Right now, the Niners are employing Isaac Guerendo and fifth-round draft pick Jordan James as McCaffrey's two backups, but both players are currently dealing with injuries. Guerendo flashed some potential in limited action last year, but there is no doubt that the 49ers could use another body given McCaffrey's propensity for missing time (he played just four games in 2024).
San Francisco initially acquired McCaffrey in a midseason trade with the Carolina Panthers back in 2022. He was brilliant for the Niners in both the second half of his debut campaign and in 2023, where he led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards. But the 29-year-old's body could be breaking down.
