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Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, took a shot at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields ahead of his fourth NFL season.
In an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Mark Craig (h/t Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio), Zimmer discussed former Vikings’ general manager Rick Spielman attempting to land Fields in the draft.
“The first round, Rick tried to trade up for Justin Fields, who hasn’t done anything,” Zimmer said.
The Vikings were unable to land Fields in the 2021 draft as the Chicago Bears traded up from No. 20 to No. 12 to pick him. Since then, Fields’ career hasn’t been ideal, but he’s found success in some areas.
He led the league in rushing yards by a quarterback in his second season, racking up 1,143 yards along with eight touchdowns on the ground. Last season, he had another successful year running the ball, picking up 657 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.
The 2023 season was Fields’ best from a passing standpoint as he recorded 2,562 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Still, a middling career so far has drawn plenty of criticism, including some from Zimmer. Fields will look to turn that criticism into praise as he starts fresh with a new team.
It will be tough for Fields to turn things around this year as he’ll start the season as a backup. The Steelers named Russell Wilson their starting quarterback this week, so any production Fields has this season would have to come in the event Mike Tomlin gives him a nod off the bench—though there’s always a chance Fields earns the starting job later on in the year.