Justin Fields Fumbles in Preseason Game

PITTSBURGH – Justin Fields made his debut as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their first preseason game against the Houston Texans, but his performance was marred by two critical fumbled snap exchanges. These miscues occurred on Fields' initial drives, contributing to a disappointing 20-12 loss for the Steelers. Despite completing 5 of 6 passes for 67 yards, the fumbles and two sacks hindered the team's offensive momentum. The first fumble, a botched exchange with center Nate Herbig, resulted in a loss of four yards on first down, forcing the Steelers to punt shortly after. The second fumble followed on Fields' next drive, further stalling the offense. After Fields exited the game, third-string quarterback Kyle Allen took over, finishing with 17 completions on 23 attempts for 193 yards, but the damage had already been done. Fields expressed optimism about his performance, noting that he felt in rhythm and that the offense was moving well despite the setbacks. He acknowledged that fumbled snaps can derail drives but remained positive about the overall pace and communication within the huddle. This game also marked the first opportunity for Fields to work with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, allowing him to gain insight into Smith's game strategy and sideline communication. As the Steelers look to improve in the coming weeks, Fields' ability to overcome these early challenges will be crucial for the team's success this preseason.