The Steelers just found their new franchise, QB! Justin Fields is now the talk of the NFL, running the damn show in Pittsburgh. And you know who’s singing praises? None other than Patrick Mahomes’ mentor Alex Smith, thinks the Steel City and Fields are a delightful pair. 

On ESPN NFL, Alex Smith couldn’t stop raving about QB Fields’ progress under Mike Tomlin’s wing. “This is such a perfect marriage for the entire team, and how they think about winning football games,” Smith alluded, waving a Terrible Towel (literally!) Last week, the 25-year-old held his ground in the pocket while chaos swirled around him, throwing darts like there’s no tomorrow.

“He’s standing in the pocket, collapsing around him, and him settling in there and delivering balls over the middle—this guy is completing nearly 75% of his passes. If this is the formula in Pittsburgh with this defense, they’re gonna win a lot of football games,” Mahomes’ mentor added. Fields ain’t out here trying to be the next big yardage king, and Smith did clarify that, too. “He’s not gonna throw for 350 yards every single week—that’s just not how they’re built.”

And you know what? That’s the magic. Steel City’s got something most teams only wish for: a QB who plays smart football. 

No one pegged Pittsburgh as a top contender in the AFC North. But, surprise! They’re sitting undefeated at 3-0, the only team in the division with a winning record. The rest of the AFC North’s scrambling, though—with Baltimore and Cincy feeling the most heat.

Justin Fields’ journey to this point? Rough and tough. He had to shake off some rust early in the season, but with each game, he’s been locking in. Colts LB Zaire Franklin even admitted his defense’s prepping for the Fields-problem this Sunday. “He’s been playing really great to start off this year, just very efficient. You can tell that with the confidence of the coaching staff and his teammates, his play is just elevated,” Franklin said. And the LB ain’t wrong—the Steelers’ QB’s been making it happen—not just with his arm but with his legs. Literal dual-threat nightmare. 

Colts HC Shane Steichen? He’s noticed, too. “He’s playing good ball right now,” Steichen asserted. “They’re doing a good job offensively and defensively, and he’s playing good.” That’s NFL coach-speak for “umm, we’re a little worried over here.” And rightly so.

The Justin Fields era’s here, and from the looks of it, he’s not giving that QB1 job back anytime soon. Plus, Russell Wilson’s exit is pretty much a done deal. 

Russell Wilson’s Steel City stint on hold: What’s next for the veteran QB?

It’s only a matter of time that Russell Wilson’s in the Steel City. Pittsburgh benched the veteran QB for Week 1 (due to a stubborn calf injury). He was all ready  but his calf had other plans. After some tough practices, it did tighten up, and just like that, the 35-year-old’s chance to start went poof! 

This calf saga ain’t exactly new for Wilson. He first tweaked it by pushing a blocking sled during the Steelers’ conditioning test at training camp. “It’s frustrating because I think every game matters, every game counts, every game you want to be able to play in,” the Super Bowl XLVIII champ said. “So I’m just trying to get ready to go and rock and roll.” But with Wilson’s exit on the horizon, where’s he headed next? 

The Dolphins are eyeing a trade. ESPN’s Adam Schefter spilled the tea on the Pat McAfee Show that if QB1 Tua Tagovailoa faces the concussion issue, Miami would reach out to the Steelers. He quipped, “I’d call Pittsburgh and ask, ‘What would you want for Russell Wilson?’”

With a long season ahead, it’ll be fun to see Pittsburgh’s next move, and how it plays out for the veteran QB.