feature-image
feature-image

Well, butter my biscuit and call me stunned! Madden 25’s trailer just dropped a bombshell that’s got the NFL world buzzing like a hornet’s nest. Picture this: Justin Fields, the Steelers‘ new QB2, returning a kickoff. Yes, you read that right. The former Bears golden phenom, now playing second fiddle to Russell Wilson, is shown fielding a kick from the Browns. Talk about a plot twist!

Watch What’s Trending Now!

Danny Parkins of “First Things First” didn’t just endorse this wild scenario – he doubled down. “I actually think Justin Fields will return a kick,” Parkins declared, citing the NFL’s new kickoff rules. He added, “I actually think Justin Fields will start a game,” throwing more fuel on this gridiron fire. Is this a case of life imitating art, or just a media Hail Mary?

ADVERTISEMENT

Fields, cool as a cucumber, responded to the trailer on Instagram with a couple of laughing emojis. He’s not letting this Madden madness ruffle his feathers. However, this can’t be how he pictured his Steelers debut. From franchise QB to kick returner? That’s one heck of a career change!

ADVERTISEMENT

Tony Paulines

Tony's Top Prospects For WR For STEELERS

It’s a far cry from his earlier statement when Steelers running back Jaylen Warren joked about Fields returning kicks. Back in May, Fields firmly stated, “Nah, I’m not here to do that,” dismissing it as “kind of a joke.” This Madden mixup comes on the heels of Fields’ trade from Chicago, where he hoped to prove himself as a franchise QB. Instead, he’s now in a tough two-minute drill, trailing Russell Wilson in the quarterback race and facing an uphill battle steeper than the streets of Steel City.

Chris Broussard chimed in, saying, “This is a big season for him. If he doesn’t play well… this could be the last year… he’s considered a starting caliber quarterback for a while.” It’s a sobering reminder that in the NFL, you’re often only as good as your last snap.

ADVERTISEMENT

Russel Wilson takes the lead, Fields playing catch-up

While Madden’s playing Xs and Os with Fields’ position, the real competition is heating up on the practice field. According to Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly, Russell Wilson’s been throwing dimes like he’s trying to win a stuffed animal at Kennywood. “Wilson did nothing through 12 practices to even slightly indicate he could lose the quarterback competition to Justin Fields,” Kaboly wrote. That’s a tougher hit than anything Fields took in Chicago.

ADVERTISEMENT

But let’s not send Fields to the sidelines just yet. Sure, he’s struggling with accuracy and relying on his legs more than a Primanti Bros sandwich relies on fries, but his potential is undeniable. As Kaboly noted, “The arm strength, speed and playmaking with his legs are undeniable.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin’s keeping this quarterback competition more open than a 24/7 Sheetz, but Wilson got the edge. With nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring that probably needs its zip code, he’s the safe bet.

ADVERTISEMENT

Will Fields pull off a comeback worthy of the Immaculate Reception, or will he be relegated to special teams duty? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – this quarterback battle is shaping up to be more entertaining than a Steelers-Ravens rivalry week.

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Sanu Abraham

1,081 Articles

Sanu Abraham is an NFL writer at EssentiallySports. As a passionate football fan, he brings fresh perspectives and new ideas to the coverage of the sport and its many exciting personalities. He seeks to write lively and engaging articles that further showcase his expertise in the game. He also has an impeccable grasp on breaking down team strategies and covering the latest happenings on the gridiron. Sanu has a postgraduate diploma in filmmaking and creative writing. A firm believer in the power of storytelling and a keen observer, Sanu likes to document moments that matter through his spirited journalism and image-capturing.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Ananya Giri

ADVERTISEMENT