Arranging an unusual but intriguing quarterback setup by signing Russell Wilson for the veteran minimum and trading a Day 3 pick for Justin Fields, the Steelers have since expressed interest in keeping both QBs beyond the 2024 season. As unrealistic as that may be, the Steelers could have some negotiating to do in the not-too-distant future.
The Steelers have exclusive negotiating rights with Wilson and Fields until March 2025, but the team’s policy with regards to extension talks would not allow it to take advantage of many of these months that could be used to discuss a deal. While many teams negotiate with players during the season, the Steelers do not. Despite the QB talks that could be set to commence to keep one of their passers beyond 2024, the Steelers are not deviating from their policy.
“I think regardless of position, I don’t think those certain policies like that one are going to change,” GM Omar Khan said (via The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly).
Khan was not with the organization when it implemented this policy, with the change coming back in 1994. That marked the salary cap’s debut and it came after some drama — brought on from in-season contract talks — emerged during free agency’s 1993 debut. The Steelers did deals with Rod Woodson and running back Barry Foster in-season in 1993, with Kaboly adding other extension candidates expressed frustration to create tension in the locker room.
The Steelers regularly extend players during the summer, with Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt being recent examples. They also reached a deal with Antonio Brown shortly after the 2017 season, as one year remained on the All-Pro’s second Steelers contract, and re-signed Cameron Sutton to keep him off the market just before the 2021 free agency period. If Wilson or Fields is to be extended, a deal will need to come in one of these windows — almost definitely the latter.
Wilson, 35, has first dibs on Pittsburgh’s starting job, with Mike Tomlin stopping short of guaranteeing the veteran will be under center in Week 1. Though, it is clear Wilson is the favorite. Rumors about another Wilson contract have come out, but the Steelers are planning to see how the veteran quarterback looks in Arthur Smith‘s system before doing another deal. While a midseason extension would make sense, that will not happen. The parties would need to huddle up after the season ends.
The team is not picking up Fields’ fifth-year option, but it views the ex-Chicago starter as a multiyear option. Unless Wilson is out of the picture in 2025, it would make little sense for Fields to recommit to the Steelers. Seeing Fields, 25, usurping Wilson this season is not too difficult based on the former Pro Bowler’s uneven Broncos play. For now, he is on track to begin the season as a backup. Any changes to that would impact the 2021 first-rounder’s second contract, but Fields will almost definitely play out his rookie deal — before potential talks commence — this year.
Don’t hand the job to a has been and don’t hand the job to a never was.
Let them compete, it’s the best thing for both of them and the team.
If Russell Wilson’s ego can’t take that, who the **** cares?
Is their even a competition for QB1?
What a stupid take. And you keep repeating it
Again, unless you never played an organized sport, you know that the idea of “competition” between teammates for a starting spot is assumed and implied. You win the job, great. Now excel in that role or the guy pushing you with good play gets your job
The ego comment is asinine. You have no inner knowledge of who Wilson is or what he brings to the table as a teammate.
All you have is rumor and gossip
And the “has been” note? And the “never was” add on? Interesting that after a number of years where the Steelers either had a gimpy, aging QB or three with no talent, you’re passing judgment before they even begin
I keep repeating it because anything other than a full and open competition for the job is dumb. Dumb AF.
So, if they are indeed giving Wilson the inside track on the job, that is dumb AF.
If they are only paying lip service for the sake of placating Wilson’s ego after said ego was the reason both Seattle and Denver (you can call reporting gossip if you like, but…) got rid of him, that is also dumb AF. A humble and realistic Wilson who feels compelled to work for it is the only Wilson that might still succeed.
The value of showing such confidence in Wilson does not merit showing a lack of confidence in Fields. At best, Wilson’s ceiling is serviceable placeholder. If you think there is ANY chance Fields could be your guy…not sure what is served by telling him “you’re no 36 year old Russel Wilson, kid.”
Wilson should get the first snap of the first work out and nothing more.
C’mon now. Wilson’s private office he demanded away from teammates, not giving his phone number out to teammates, his own personal qb coach, his entourage who follows him everywhere he’s at, his own personal suite at the hotels that’s rearranged and decorated to his liking before even setting foot all speak for themselves. These aren’t even rumors, they’re all proven.
I get what you’re trying to say, but Wilson’s ego won’t let him be a backup.
I’ve already told you this before, there’s a reason why Seattle was so willing to give him away and there’s a reason why we didn’t want him on Denver. It’s also not a good look when Payton was asked if it was a hard decision and without blinking, said no. You can try to slice up a cake anyway you want, but at the end of the day it’s still cake.
I suppose the Steelers mindset is that if a player is negotiating a contract during the regular season his focus is being distracted from performing on the field and it’s also a distraction for other players on the roster. There may be some truth to that in certain situations but the advantage of in season negotiations is that it allows a GM to stay ahead of the curve and have contingency plans in place for when injuries start disrupting things.