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. He gained prominence during his college football career, first with the Georgia Bulldogs and then with the Ohio State Buckeyes. At Ohio State, he earned the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award twice and led the team to the 2021 National Championship Game.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2016: Bears' season started with a loss

The Bears started 0-3 in the 2016 season.

2017: Bears' season started with a loss

The Bears started 0-2 in the 2017 season.

2018: Transfer Announcement

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

2018: Debut for Georgia Bulldogs

In 2018, Justin Fields made his debut for the Georgia Bulldogs in the season opener against Austin Peay, completing seven of eight passes, including a touchdown pass to Isaac Nauta, in the 45-0 victory. He also had five carries for 45 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against Tennessee, and threw two touchdown passes and ran for another against UMass.

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 related to a racial slur incident at Georgia in 2018.

2019: First Season with Buckeyes

In 2019, Justin Fields helped lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship with a 34-21 victory over Wisconsin and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy running, was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and played in the Fiesta Bowl against Clemson.

2020: Led Buckeyes to Undefeated Season

In 2020, Justin Fields helped lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to another undefeated regular season and Big Ten Championship, receiving another bid to the College Football Playoff. They beat Clemson in the semi-final before losing to Alabama in the National Championship. Fields repeated as the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year and unanimous first-team all-conference.

2020: Advocated for playing the 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: Declared for 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, worth $18.8 million fully guaranteed, with the Chicago Bears.

2021: Appeared in 2021 National Championship Game

In 2021, Justin Fields appeared in the National Championship Game as quarterback 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 Losing Streak

During the 2022 season, Justin Fields suffered a shoulder injury and a hip injury, and the Bears ended the season on a losing streak, finishing with a 3-14 record.

2022: Bears' Season

In 2022, Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears had a rocky season, including a three-game losing streak, but also secured a victory against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.

2022: Future Draft Picks

In 2022, The Chicago Bears received first and fourth-round picks from the New York Giants as part of the trade to acquire Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL draft.

2023: 1,000 Rushing Yards

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

2023: Bears' season started with a loss

Justin Fields' 2023 season began with a loss against the Packers, and 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 the 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 as Wilson's calf injury had healed.

2024: Finished 2024 Season

In 2024, Justin Fields finished the season with 65% pass completion for 1,106 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception. He played in 10 games, starting six. He also appeared briefly in the Steelers' playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, handing off the ball once and throwing an incomplete pass.

2024: Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers

In 2024, Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers after playing three seasons with the Chicago Bears.

2024: Uncertainty about his future

In 2024, with the Bears holding the first overall pick in the NFL draft, Justin Fields faced uncertainty about his future as the team's starting quarterback.