Brawl breaks out after hit on Justin Fields at Steelers training camp

A brawl broke out at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Wednesday after linebacker Elandon Roberts and defensive back Beanie Bishop hit quarterback Justin Fields on a run.

Pittsburgh’s offensive line immediately stood up for him, rookies Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick getting involved.

First #Steelers camp fight ! 👀

LB Elandon Roberts and DB Beanie Bishop hit Justin Fields on a run; rookie linemen Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick immediately go after Roberts and start a brawl.
pic.twitter.com/rNyaHC5tyG

— Steelers Update (@SteelersUpdate1) July 31, 2024

Training camp season is brawl season in the NFL, and tempers often flare in practices around the league. On Tuesday, we saw a mini scuffle break out at Carolina Panthers practice after defensive end Jadeveon Clowney delivered a hard hit on running back Chuba Hubbard. And when you touch the quarterback, that tends to spark something as evident in Latrobe Wednesday.

With fellow signal caller Russell Wilson dealing with a calf injury, Fields has been getting extended work with the first-team offense. Wilson’s injury has opened the door for Fields in their ongoing quarterback battle, even as head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier in the offseason that Wilson is in the “pole position” for QB1 duties.

Justin Fields competing with Russell Wilson for QB1 duties

The Steelers signed Wilson following his release from the Denver Broncos, and then acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears. Fields, the 2021 first round pick out of Ohio State, is entering his fourth season in the NFL. To this point, the results have been a mixed bag. Chicago went 10-28 in his starts. He has thrown for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions on 60.3% passing. Pass protection in front of him was an issue, as he was sacked 135 times, including a league-high 55 times in 2022.

Fields’ strength has been his playmaking ability with his legs, as he has rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 scores. He rushed for 1,143 yards in 2022. That’s the second-most all-time in a single season by a quarterback (Lamar Jackson, 1,206 yards in 2019).

Wilson talked about being a “mentor” to Fields as the two are competing with one another.

“I believe that when you give as much knowledge that I have or experienced or gone through, it comes back in return for you in the long run,” Wilson said, via Greg Auman of FOX Sports. “We’re a team and we’re always trying to get better together. Every rep that he’s taking, I’m learning, and vice versa. Every rep that I’m taking, he’s learning. And all the other quarterbacks as well. Even when we’re not in there, and we’re just processing from the drill work, we’re always talking and communicating. So, I think that’s a critical part to being successful as a team.”