Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Justin Fields proved to head coach Mike Tomlin that he can still be a part of the offense despite an inconsistent game against the Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers suffered an unexpected 24-19 loss against the Browns on ‘Thursday Night Football’ as heavy snowfall in Cleveland, Ohio made for a chaotic game to begin Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season. Russell Wilson remained the starter for Pittsburgh as Fields resumed his position on the bench, but he still made a positive impact after initially failing to contribute positively.

Tomlin continued to use Fields when minimal yardage was needed to move the chains, but the 25-year-old lost yards on his first two snaps of the game. The first was on third-and-1 just three minutes into the game, when the Steelers were flagged for a false start.

The second was a clumsy fourth-and-2 on Pittsburgh’s second drive, in which the Browns defense handed Fields a two-yard loss on the play. In the fourth quarter, Fields atoned for his errors with a neat 30-yard run and a play-fake that saw running back Jaylen Warren rush into the end zone, but the Steelers still ended up losing the game.

The Browns went into the half 10-3 up after running back Nick Chubb scored in his first game back against the Steelers since suffering a nasty knee injury in Pittsburgh 14 months ago. It remained a one-possession game until the fourth quarter, when Browns quarterback Jameis Winston scored his first rushing touchdown since 2021.

The Steelers then flipped the game, as Warren’s touchdown was followed by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to wide receiver Calvin Austin III. However, Chubb scored his second touchdown with 57 seconds remaining to improve the Browns to 3-8, while dropping the Steelers to 8-3.

While the Steelers are still on top of the AFC North, Thursday’s loss creates an opening for the Baltimore Ravens, who lost against Pittsburgh in Week 11, and face the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. It was the first loss of the season for Wilson, who took over from Fields when he started the year 4-2.

The decision by Tomlin to bench Fields after Week 6 was controversial, but vindicated when a healthy Wilson started 4-0. Although it could have made the quarterback room awkward in Pittsburgh, Fields admitted he didn’t do enough to prove that Wilson should be No. 2.

“I mean, I don’t think I’ve played good enough, if I’m being real with you,” Fields said to the media after being benched. “If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don’t think there would be any sort of ‘who should be playing, who should not.’

Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are close despite the starting situation in Pittsburgh.

Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are close despite the starting situation in Pittsburgh. ( 

Image:

2024 Getty Images)

“We got a few wins — of course I’m glad about that — but there are areas that I could be better at.” In response, Tomlin was grateful for the attitude Fields had shown. “Justin has been really good, and we’ve been really good at times, but not to be confused with great.”

Since then, Fields has promised to give 100 percent whenever he is called upon. “I’m just doing the same thing I was doing,” Fields added. “I just do my job at the end of the day and whether that’s playing, it’s helping the guys out on the sideline, tell him what I see, helping the rest out if he’s out there. So just small stuff like that.”