Steelers Shut Down Rumor That Justin Fields Could Be Their Kickoff Return Specialist

If the idea of using Justin Fields as a kickoff return specialist sounds absurd, that's because it is. Still, that didn't stop the rumor from spreading like wildfire over the weekend.

It all started when Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren appeared on Cam Heyward's Not Just Football podcast. During the interview, Warren said he'd be open to fielding kick returns this season, but special teams coordinator Danny Smith mentioned Fields might be filling that role.

"I think it's pretty cool," Warren said. "But our special teams coordinator was talking about Justin Fields being back there. We looked at him like, 'Justin Fields is going to be back there?' I don't know, I think it's cool."

RELATED: Micah Parsons Wants To Return Kickoffs And Cowboys Special Teams Coordinator Is On Board

Don't expect to see this guy returning kicks in Pittsburgh this season.

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Considering the Steelers signed All-Pro kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year contract last month, it was a wild rumor.

And the Steelers are shutting it down. According to Steel Curtain Network's Jeff Hartman, a source inside Pittsburgh's building called the idea of Fields returning kickoffs "preposterous," saying it would never happen.

"They went on to say it's 'complete f'ing horse crap'," Hartman said.

READ: Union Of Russell Wilson And Justin Fields Gives Steelers NFL's Most Uncertain QB Situation

The Steelers acquired Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick in March. A first-round pick in 2021, he's expected to serve as the backup to quarterback Russell Wilson, whom the Steelers also acquired this off-season.

With neither Wilson nor Fields locked in to contracts beyond 2024, though, there's still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Pittsburgh's dual QB situation. But we now know one thing for sure: neither one of them will be fielding kickoffs.