Career Timeline of Justin Fields: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Justin Fields, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Justin Fields is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the New York Jets in the NFL. He initially played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring to Ohio State. As a Buckeye, he distinguished himself, twice earning the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award and leading the team to the 2021 National Championship Game.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 2017: Committed to the University of Georgia

In October 2017, Justin Fields committed to the University of Georgia to play college football, withdrawing a previous commitment to Penn State.

2017: Named Elite 11 MVP

In the summer before his senior year, 2017, Justin Fields attended the Elite 11 quarterback competition and was named MVP of the event.

2018: Freshman Season at Georgia

During his true freshman season at Georgia in 2018, Justin Fields served as the backup to starting quarterback Jake Fromm and saw action in 12 games, totaling 328 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, 266 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns.

2018: Announced Transfer to Ohio State

Following Georgia's loss to Alabama in the 2018 SEC Championship Game, Justin Fields announced his intent to transfer to Ohio State.

February 8, 2019: Granted Immediate Eligibility by NCAA

On February 8, 2019, Justin Fields was granted immediate eligibility for the 2019 season by the NCAA after seeking a waiver, due to mitigating circumstances.

2019: First Season with Buckeyes

In 2019, Justin Fields led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy running, and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

2020: Led Buckeyes to Another Championship

In 2020, Justin Fields helped lead the Buckeyes to another undefeated regular season and Big Ten Championship, receiving a bid to the College Football Playoff, and repeating as the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year.

2020: Advocacy for Playing 2020 Season

In 2020, Justin Fields was vocal in his support of playing the football season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, starting an online petition that gathered over 320,000 signatures.

January 18, 2021: Announced Entry into 2021 NFL Draft

On January 18, 2021, Justin Fields announced that he would be forgoing his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL draft.

June 10, 2021: Signed Rookie Contract

On June 10, 2021, Justin Fields signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chicago Bears, worth $18.8 million fully guaranteed.

2021: Appeared in 2021 National Championship Game

In 2021, Justin Fields appeared in the National Championship Game as a player for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

2021: Drafted by Chicago Bears

In 2021, Justin Fields was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.

2022: Injuries and Season's End

During the 2022 season, Justin Fields suffered a shoulder injury, returned to play but then suffered a hip injury in Week 17, causing him to miss the season finale. The Bears ended the season with a league-worst 3–14 record.

2022: Bears 2022 Season

In 2022, Justin Fields began the season with a victory over the 49ers, followed by a series of losses, ending the losing streak with a Monday Night Football victory over the New England Patriots.

2022: Bears traded up for fields

In 2022, the Bears traded up with the New York Giants in exchange for the 20th overall pick, their fifth-round pick in 2021, and their first and fourth-round picks in 2022.

2023: Finished year with 1,143 rushing yards

In 2023, Justin Fields finished his second year with 1,143 rushing yards, making him the third NFL quarterback after Vick and Lamar Jackson to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He was ranked 86th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.

2023: Started 2023 Season

Justin Fields' 2023 season began with a loss against the Packers. The Bears started 0-2 for the first time since 2017 and 0-3 for the first time since 2016.

March 16, 2024: Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers

On March 16, 2024, Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

October 15, 2024: Demoted to Backup Quarterback

On October 15, 2024, Justin Fields was demoted to backup quarterback duties for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2024: Uncertainty About Future

In 2024, Justin Fields faced uncertainty about his future with the Bears, with the team holding the first overall pick in the NFL draft and considering selecting a new quarterback.

2024: 2024 Season Performance

In 2024, Justin Fields played in 10 games, starting six. He completed 65% of his passes for 1,106 yards, with 10 touchdowns (five passing, five rushing) and one interception. Fields also appeared in the Steelers' AFC Wild Card playoff game loss to the Baltimore Ravens, handing off the ball and throwing an incomplete pass.