Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith defends Justin Fields

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers will leave their quarterback decision to the end in Week 7, but there is a clear expectation that the team will make a change and turn to Russell Wilson instead of Justin Fields against the New York Jets.

The move is respected by everyone who asks about it, but no one believes Fields wasn't worthy of his opportunity and made the most of it. The 25-year-old has earned the respect of the entire organization, including his offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who made sure Fields “wasn’t good enough.”

“I don’t know if that’s necessarily the perspective,” Smith said when asked what Russell Wilson could do to improve the offense. “I understand the question, but these two guys are here. Mike (Tomlin) said earlier this week we need to step up (Wilson's) reps. He has to make a decision by the end of the week. Unfortunately Russ missed a lot of time so we never really got a chance to see him.

“I think Justin did a good job. Nobody here has ever been perfect. But it's about winning. Of course we wish we were 6-0. That's not us. You are what your record says, so we are.” “We're 4-2. I think we made progress some weeks depending on how they attacked us, there are always things we need to improve on.”

Fields made it clear to reporters that he didn't think he played well enough to keep the job and took responsibility for the contest early on.

“If I’m honest, I don’t think I played well enough,” Fields said. “If I'm honest with myself, if I played well enough, I don't think there should be anyone who should play and who shouldn't.”

“I understand, and that's why you never speak for someone else. I think it's important for players and other coaches to speak for themselves. We have daily conversations and I think sometimes guys are too hard on themselves,” Smith said. “You appreciate that about him. That's why he works so hard. …That's why you love working with Justin, because it's real. This isn't just a cliche, some QB guru or someone told him. A lot of these guys are hard on themselves, and there's so much that goes into playing quarterback. Of course the physical skills would not be at that level, but for me it is the mental component that separates the greats from the other starters leguae, and that is what he strives for.”

Smith doesn't believe this move will dent Fields' confidence too much and reiterated that he should be proud of the progress he has made.

“You look at everything. I mean, you try to look at it from every angle, but that's why you have to have conversations. No decision is ever easy. … If you get numb or callous, you should probably go out.” “I think (Fields') confidence should be high,” Smith said.

“He's 4-2, he's been pretty productive and whatever Mike tells us, like I said, I've prepared it either way and I'm just working and that's my job.”

If Wilson starts, Fields will finish his career as the Steelers' QB1 with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. While this raises many questions about his future in Pittsburgh, it appears that at least one of his coaches would be thrilled to get another chance with him.

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