Former Steelers quarterback shows up on time to Jets OTAs as Pittsburgh’s wait continues

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not retain either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson this offseason and they are instead playing the Aaron Rodgers waiting game.

While it remains unclear just how interested the Steelers were in keeping Wilson, who has since signed with the New York Giants, reports suggest Pittsburgh made Fields an offer before he ultimately decided to sign with the New York Jets.

As the Rodgers waiting game continues, teams with rookie head coaches like the Jets have opened up their offseason programs and players began arriving on Monday.

One of those players is Fields, who was in the building for the first day of the voluntary portion of the offseason program.

Fields showing up to voluntary workouts is obviously a great sign, as it shows his leadership and willingness to go the extra mile to get ready for the start of the season.

While there was initially a question about whether or not Fields will have to compete for the starting job with Tyrod Taylor, Jets general manager Darren Mougey made it clear that the team thinks Fields is the starter.

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“We believe Justin is the starter,” Mougey told reporters last month, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “We believe in Justin. We believe we can win with Justin, so we’re excited about Justin.”

While it was nice to have confirmation, it was assumed that would be the case after the Jets handed him $30 million guaranteed in a two-year, $40 million contract.

Fields started in six games for the Steelers last season, and while he did compile a 4-2 record in those contests, he didn’t show much improvement. That said, he was also surrounded with a lackluster supporting cast that included shaky blocking and an awful group of wide receivers.

The troublesome thing about Fields with the Jets is that New York has a similar situation, which will make it difficult for the former first-round pick to thrive. However, the Jets still have time to make some improvements.

Meanwhile, the Steelers find themselves between a rock and a hard place, assuming they don’t already have a handshake agreement with Rodgers.

Pittsburgh’s current quarterbacks room does not include a viable starter, and their options are extremely thin in the free-agent and trade markets. At this point, it’s Rodgers or bust for the Steelers.