Justin Fields believes in self, defers Steelers QB call to Tomlin - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Justin Fields says he believes he has shown his capabilities through training camp and the first two weeks of the preseason but directed all questions on his status in the Steelers' quarterback competition to coach Mike Tomlin.

«I think I've shown what I can do,» Fields said Thursday. «I think the time that I did have with the [first team] practicing in training camp, I think that went well. I think we grew a lot each and every day, but at the end of the day, it's not up to me.

»I mean, I'm just going to come in here every day, each and every day, the same person, being a leader for this team and work my butt off, and everything else will be handled."

Though Russell Wilson entered the offseason in "pole position" for the starting job, Tomlin hasn't named a Week 1 starter. Wilson will start the preseason finale in Detroit on Saturday, Tomlin said Thursday.

Fields, the former Chicago Bears' first-round pick, also deferred on how much he will play against the Lions.

«I try to not think about stuff that I can't control,» Fields said of the competition. «I try to just think about the stuff that I can control, so I can't control whether or not I'm going to be named the starter. I can control how I come in every day, how I work every day and how I treat my teammates and every day.»

Fields took nearly all the first-team reps through the first two weeks of training camp after Wilson suffered a calf injury and started the Steelers' first preseason game, playing three series.

Once Wilson returned, the pair began splitting first-team reps in practice. Wilson started and played five series in the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Fields also played five series against the Bills, leading the team to three