Before the start of Week 1, former Vikings head coach and current Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer expressed numerous grievances in an interview with Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. While he refrained from commenting on his former quarterback, Kirk Cousins—whom the Cowboys will face in Week 9—he did not hold back when discussing Justin Fields, the quarterback the Cowboys will go up against this Sunday night.
Zimmer criticized former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman’s decision to attempt drafting a quarterback in 2021, specifically mentioning that Spielman had aimed to trade up for Justin Fields. “He hasn’t done anything,” Zimmer remarked about Fields, dismissing his potential, told NBC Sports.
At the time of Zimmer’s comments, Russell Wilson was the Steelers’ starting quarterback and in good health. However, days later, Wilson aggravated his calf injury, paving the way for Fields to step in as the starter.
Since then, the Steelers have won three of their last four games, with Fields proving himself on the field. Far from being someone who “hasn’t done anything,” Fields has shown resilience and skill, making an impact as the team’s new leader. In the NFL, where players and coaches often use any criticism—real or perceived—as motivation, Fields is likely well aware of Zimmer’s remarks.
As Fields takes the field against Zimmer’s Cowboys tonight, he will undoubtedly be aiming to prove his worth and demonstrate just how much he has accomplished to the man who questioned his abilities.