The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has quarterback Justin Fields's back. If that wasn't already clear, it was made apparent by the position group's actions after a play during the club's training camp session at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., on Wednesday.
Fields, carrying the ball on a read option play, was hit hard to the ground by Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts, a physical play that Pittsburgh offensive linemen Mason McCormick and Troy Fautanu took exception to.
Both linemen went after Roberts and a shoving match ensued, with others, such as cornerback Joey Porter Jr., also involved in the scrum.
Elandon Roberts hit Justin Fields to the ground on read option. Rookie Mason McCormick was PISSED and came at Roberts. Big scrum. O-line standing up for their QB. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/zn3W2kbFlO
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) July 31, 2024
THINGS GETTING HEATED 🍿
— PickensBurgh🫡 (Tino) (@PickensBurgh) July 31, 2024
AFC Northing football isn’t soft pic.twitter.com/5GA264nrnO
Football coaches generally like to see teammates coming to the defense of another like this, especially when it's the quarterback. And both Fautanu and McCormick, rookie linemen the Steelers selected in the first and fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, respectively, responded like veterans.
The scrum comes amidst a training camp battle between Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and Fields, who received some extra first-team reps with Wilson dealing with a calf injury last week. Wilson is expected to be the team's starter, with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin telling the media back in March at the AFC coaches' breakfast that the veteran is in the "pole position" when it comes to his status.
Whoever is under center will have personal bodyguards in the Steelers' offensive line.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Steelers' Offensive Line Stood Up for Justin Fields After Physical Hit at Training Camp.
