In the Pittsburgh Steelers' first preseason game, quarterback Justin Fields had the opportunity to solidify his contender status in the quarterback competition against Russell Wilson. Fields had been working extensively with the first-team offense during practices, but Wilson's increased participation added to the intensity of the competition.

Fields had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the practices, particularly in the past week. However, the preseason game presented a crucial chance for him to showcase his skills in a game-like situation. Steelers' coach Mike Tomlin emphasized the significance of preseason games, as they closely simulate real game scenarios.

During the game, the initial plan was for the starters to play two drives. However, Fields and the skill position players remained on the field for a third drive while the linemen were replaced. In those three drives, Fields displayed accuracy, completing five of his six passes for a solid 67 yards. One notable completion was a 20-yard throw to Van Jefferson in the middle of the field. Fields also demonstrated his athleticism with a scramble that resulted in positive yardage.

Despite these positive moments, the box score does not tell the whole story. Fields encountered challenges, including two botched exchanges with the center and two sacks. Herm Edwards, an ESPN analyst, acknowledged the encouraging signs in Fields' performance but also highlighted the sloppiness on offense, reminiscent of his time in Chicago. Notably, Fields had a tendency to hold onto the ball longer than any other quarterback in the league last season.

Comparatively, Russell Wilson had been cleaner in terms of turnovers. Over the past three seasons, Wilson had fewer interceptions and fumbles compared to Fields. Ball security is a crucial factor in winning a quarterback competition, and the issues with center-quarterback exchanges must be addressed to improve Fields' chances.

The Steelers' inability to score while Fields was quarterback can be attributed in part to the negative plays on his three drives. Sacks and botched snaps hindered the team's progress, making it challenging to overcome such setbacks in a limited number of drives.

Edwards made it clear that Wilson is currently the starting quarterback, leaving Fields with a potential role, perhaps as a versatile player with multiple responsibilities. Wilson's consistent position as the frontrunner was reinforced by Tomlin's initial announcements and the team's depth chart, where Wilson was listed ahead of Fields. Wilson even led the team onto the field prior to the game, cementing his status as the starting quarterback.

While Fields still has time to demonstrate his capabilities and make a comeback, the scales have tipped back in favor of Wilson, even when he was not actively participating. Fields will need to address the challenges he faced in the preseason game and continue to impress the team to regain ground in the competition.

Overall, the preseason game provided a valuable opportunity for Justin Fields to prove himself, revealing both his potential and the areas that need improvement. The competition with Russell Wilson remains fierce, but Fields still has time to make his mark and secure a significant role within the team.