The NFL world was abuzz earlier this month when Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren hinted at quarterback Justin Fields potentially returning kicks this season. The surprising revelation was made more intriguing by the serious tone it was initially perceived with. However, the reality of the situation is quite different, and somewhat humorous, as clarified by Fields himself.
A Joke Taken Too Seriously
Justin Fields, who joined the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this year following a trade from the Chicago Bears, was quick to dismiss the idea of him joining the special teams unit. In a conversation with Brian Batko of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Fields explained, “Nah, I’m not here to do that. It was kind of a joke, to be honest with you.”
This clarification comes after the initial statement by Warren was taken out of context, leading to widespread speculation and surprise among fans and media alike. Fields elaborated on the misunderstanding, attributing it to an attempt by special teams coach Danny Smith to underscore a broader point: that everyone on the team, regardless of status, could be asked to contribute to special teams.
Fields noted, “I think everybody kind of interpreted it wrong. Coach Danny was just trying to send a message that no matter who you are, you could be on special teams. He just used that as an example.”
Media and Social Media Stir
The rumor, while not based in reality, managed to stir significant discussion on social media, highlighting how quickly and seriously information can be taken in the digital age. Fields found humor in the situation, expressing amusement over the serious reactions online. “It’s funny how serious social media takes everything,” he said. “It was kind of funny to me when everybody was making a big deal about it for no reason.”
Justin Fields’ Journey from Chicago Bears to Pittsburgh Steelers
Before the trade that brought him to Pittsburgh, Fields had a challenging tenure with the Chicago Bears. Selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields struggled to find consistent success, recording a starting record of 10-28 over three seasons.
Despite showing promise, including throwing for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns in his final season with the Bears, the team decided to move in a different direction, selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams as the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.
The transition to the Steelers marks a new chapter for Fields, who is currently positioned as the backup to newly signed quarterback Russell Wilson.
While the rumor of him playing on special teams was unfounded, it underscores the unpredictable nature of the NFL and how quickly narratives can form around players based on offhand comments.
Source: nflanalysis
