This summer looks a little bit different for QBs Justin Fieldsand Russell Wilson.
While a battle for a starting position in Pittsburgh consumed the summer for both quarterbacks in 2024, the veterans established themselves as starters before training camp even got underway in 2025. And rather than sharing a locker room this season, they are simply sharing a city.
"We were just happy for each other," Fields said of the QB's signing with their respective New York metropolitan area teams. "It's kind of crazy how it worked out where we are both in the city, but we didn't talk about too much and we didn't really get specific. We were just both happy that we were able to find a new home."
Fields and Wilson already had the opportunity to reunite in each other's new homes on two separate occasions this week. The Giants traveled to Florham Park for a joint practice on Tuesday, and the Jets on Wednesday visited East Rutherford for a second consecutive joint session. The quarterbacks and their respective teams will meet again on Saturday when the Jets and Giants face off in their annual preseason game.
"We're grateful just to be able to play this game, what we love to do," Wilson said of him and Fields Tuesday. "We're both tremendous competitors. He's tremendously talented, and I'll always have his back and all that, and vice versa."
Fields said his relationship with Wilson dates to his college days, and the 14-year veteran has remained a mentor to No. 7 over the years. Sharing a locker room presented an even greater opportunity for mentorship, though, and Fields -- who led the Steelers to a 4-2 start before Wilson returned from a calf injury in Week 7 -- said he took advantage of every opportunity to learn from the 10-time Pro Bowler.
"I learned a lot," Fields said. "There's no one specific thing that stood out. I think just how he goes about his everyday business, you can really see just how he operates and stuff like that. So, really just trying to take bits and pieces of what he does and implement it into my game, my routine and everything like that."
While the former teammates no longer communicate on a regular basis, the two did exchange messages ahead of joint practice this week. It's a testament to a relationship that Fields said is ongoing -- he knows he can reach out to Wilson for advice at any point and receive a response without hesitation.
"I got to talk to Justin before practice a little bit," Wilson said Tuesday. "He's a great friend, a great teammate. I loved playing with him. I know he's going to have a great year."
As the competitors are preparing to lead their offenses this year, they have not yet found time for an off-the-field reunion in the area. Though Fields said they hope to set aside time soon, the New York starters may have some more important business to tend to come September.
"We've talked about it, but it hasn't happened yet," Fields said with a smile. "I don't know if it'll happen now with the season coming around, but we'll definitely get some time in for sure."
