Both the Steelers’ top two quarterbacks are in Pittsburgh after unusual separations from their previous teams. Jettisoned after a rocky Denver tenure, Russell Wilson counts for a record-shattering dead money figure on the Broncos’ payroll. The Bears-Panthers swap for the 2023 No. 1 pick created another No. 1 selection for Chicago after Carolina’s 2-15 season, leading to the Bears capitalizing via Caleb Williams this year.
After showing some progress down the stretch last season, Fields is still viewed as a clear backup to Wilson with the Steelers. The three-year Bears starter said he is not prepared to sit behind Wilson for the season’s entirety. Although the Steelers have given Wilson indications he will be the starter, Mike Tomlin has left the door ajar to a training camp competition.
[RELATED: Who Will Lead Steelers In QB Starts In 2024?]
“I’m definitely competing,” Fields said, via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor. “I think Russ knows that we’re competing against each other every day. Him being out there for me, that helps me getting better, especially each other. I definitely don’t have the mindset of me just sitting all year.”
Turning 25 earlier this year, Fields is more than 10 years younger than Wilson. The 2021 first-round pick is certainly not as polished as a passer but offers a more dynamic presence by comparison, though Wilson did display more in the run game under Sean Payton than he did during a bizarrely ineffective season under Nathaniel Hackett. QBR placed Wilson two spots ahead of Fields last season (21st, 23rd), though passer rating gave a considerable edge to the then-Broncos starter. Wilson’s 26 passes and eight interceptions highlighted a bounce-back campaign — to a degree, at least — and an eighth-place finish in rating (compared to Fields’ 22nd).
As for the prospect of this becoming a straight-up competition come August, The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly points to no such setup developing. Barring injury, Kaboly notes there is no chance Fields unseats Wilson to begin the season (subscription required).
This matches up with how the Steelers addressed the situation following the Fields trade. Wilson was told before the Kenny Pickett trade he would be the starter; that was among the reasons the 2022 first-rounder was dealt to the Eagles. This messaging continued following the Fields trade, with Tomlin contacting Wilson before the Steelers acquired the ex-Bears starter to ensure him the QB1 job would be his. The 18th-year Pittsburgh HC then brought up competition for the job, though it is still assumed Wilson is the clubhouse leader.
Despite Fields landing with a team that — as of now, at least — plans to sign off on a demotion, the dual-threat performer confirmed a previously reported notion he wanted to be traded to Pittsburgh. The Falcons, Raiders and Vikings were also on Fields’ list of acceptable destinations prior to free agency. Ryan Poles had said he wanted to do right by Fields, and while reports of the third-year Bears GM turning down a better offer to make sure Fields landed on his feet probably does not mean another proposal was significantly better, the new Steelers QB thanked his former GM for trading him to the Steelers.
“Shoutout to Poles. We communicated to him through my agent, and I told him where I wanted to be and this was a place I wanted to be,” Fields said. “He honored that, and I appreciate him for that and glad he was able to put me in a spot where I wanted to be at.”
The Bears only received a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick for Fields; that choice could be bumped to a fourth if the former 1,000-yard rusher plays 51% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps this season.
The Steelers have expressed interest in having both Wilson and Fields back in 2025. It would be highly unlikely that comes to pass, as both players are on expiring contracts and each is accustomed to starting. A Wilson-Fields pecking order could change during the season, but months away from Week 1, the Steelers’ QB plan would only have them sending a sixth-rounder to the Bears.
It’s a long season and considering Wilson’s post Seahawk’s career, it’s premature to make definitive statements now. One way or another, they’d be crazy not to find ways to works Fields into the offense. Gonna be interesting to watch..
Why? fields isn’t a very good QB. Great athlete. Gifted runner. Could be a weapon in the return game. But a slow processor at the line and a poor passer in general.
He just said to work him into the offense, not make him QB.
Acquiring an experienced QB and a highly talented young QB and then LETTING THEM COMPETE for the job was the ideal scenario for the Steelers after last year’s disaster at the position.
Acquiring the same QB’s and handing the job to the guy whose ego has been cited as his biggest issue while telling the young guy to fetch coffee is an amazing way to squander the same situation.
Maybe wait and see how they actually play in your jersey first?
Your logic is solid but there’s more than enough film on both guys to have a very good understanding of what you’re getting with each of them. In Arthur Smith’s offensive system which the team doubled down on by overhauling the O-line in the draft, admittedly out of necessity, they really just need a game manager at qb who wont turn the ball over. Wilson seems much more adept at that but regardless of who is starting week 1 they won’t have as long of a leash as they’re accustomed to since neither has ever had a reasonable threat to take their job in their respective careers before.
I see them repeating the same mistake they made two years ago.
Named Mitch the starter.
Kenny didn’t get the reps he needed.
Mitch **** the bed.
Kenny came in unprepared for success.
The worst of both worlds. Handed the job to a guy who didn’t deserve it and set the young guy up for failure.
Repeating that again this year is the current most likely scenario.
If Fields can’t beat old 36 year old Wilson, so be it, he’s not your guy…but don’t set him up to fail and never actually find out if he could have been.
Disagree and again, your entire argument is based on your negative perceptions of Wilson. Why not give the guy a chance and the Steelers staff the benefit of the doubt
Completely different scenario than with Pickett as they hoped upon hope that a 1st round pick wasn’t wasted. As such, they were like a car stuck in second gear for a protracted period of time instead of shifting gears. I get it. They’re reluctance to try another QB and eventually settle on Rudolph gives any fan great pause
But here, you have to think that no matter what sound bites are coming out of the Steelers, there’s not only competition but also some effort to incorporate Fields in Smith’s system. Just has to be
You didn’t have such a scenario with guys like Trubisky and Rudolph in the wings
Neither Wilson or Fields have ever shown an ability to use the middle of the field which is absolutely necessary in an Arthur Smith offense, I watched Fields for 3 years and I think he completed a single slant pass in that entire time which was a miracle catch by DJ because the throw was so bad, Steelers fans watch compilations of Fields on YouTube and think they have something but he’s no different than Mitch except Mitch didn’t lose us games in the 4th constantly, that being said for the love of god give the guy 52% of the offensive snaps
Good points I’ve read from other fans. I had to laugh about your Mitch comment. Here in Pittsburgh, he lost games well before the 4th quarter ever began
But over the last two seasons, throwing over the middle or deep with Pickett was the same idea. Flare passes, sure
Hard to believe as it was, Rudolph made him look like a middle school QB
The first problem they have is Arthur Smith as OC. Run the ball and play action.
The problem that is going to come up in Pittsburgh wont be Wilson or Fields, it will be Arthur Smith calling the offense.
They probably had to promise Wilson first crack at the starting job to get him to sign for $1.2 million.
First snap of camp…by all means, let Wilson take it.
But, I like Fields’ attitude. He can make it a competition even if they don’t want it to be by seizing his (last best) opportunity.
Agreed. You gotta go with Wilson. He’s been there, Fields has not. Steelers want to win a SB. Fields is a talent but with no playoff experience, Wilson has loads of it. And I believe he’s got a winning playoff record to boot.
So the Raiders O-Cord Luke Getsy was Fields O-Cord for the last two years.
The Steelers gave up a 6th round pick for Fields. Kind of says a lot that the Raiders wouldn’t even offer a 4th for him.
Yeah, the Raiders, the great purveyors of talent. Had Carr. Had Jimmy G. Hell, they had Jacobs. And they let all of them go. For what, again?
But isn’t holding a starting position always contingent on consistent performance, no matter the level? From Pop Warner to school ball and beyond, yeah, you can be named starter but you have to perform
I think a lot of Steelers fans who didn’t see Canada as the sole problem have the jitters based on just how long they stuck with Pickett. I mean, they named him starter without competition, by all accounts he was outplayed by Rudolph in camp and preseason, he did little over 24 starts but kept the “Kenny is our guy” mantra the entire time. To me, this was a typical case one sees with franchises and 1st round flops. They stick with them too long rather than admit a mistake and face embarrassment. Hard to see that happening here with two guys who simply have a lot to prove and a team that says it’s tired of quickly being popped out of the playoffs
All of that makes sense, but we also know guys get first crack at the starting job for lots of reasons other than consistent play, whether it’s draft status, contract, or other.
Pitt and Dallas seem to be emulating each other. Both franchises have lame duck QB’s and HC’s heading into the season. Should make for some interesting stories during the season.
But different in that Prescott is a known commodity, although some might agree. Unlike him to some degree, both Wilson and Fields are in prove-it years. If one or both have miserable seasons, what does getting a new contract look like? Prescott on the other hand is going to have suitors after this season.
It’s funny to listen to so many NFL geniuses in national media attempt to figure out just what holds the Cowboys back. Some say Prescott. Others say McCarthy. Still others say the defense fails at inopportune times.
“…although some may disagree.” Sorry
My point is I think there’s a strong chance that both teams start over at HC & QB1 next offseason. Dak isn’t worth 25% of cap space, but you’re right; some team will pay him that. There was a lot of chatter Mike T could have retired or traded earlier this offseason.
Unless I’m wrong, the word here in Pittsburgh is that the Steelers will extend Tomlin shortly
Fields implying the Bears front office had better offers, but took the Steelers offer to do right by him is laughable. Everyone is fighting for their jobs, including GMs.
No one will say, let’s pick in the 6th round instead of the 4th so we don’t hurt our QBs feelings.
It’s more than just hurting players feelings. It’s also building a reputation as a GM that you’ll do what you can to help guys out. That’s respected by other players when you’re recruiting them as FAs. Far more valuable than getting a 6th for him instead of a 5th. Those rounds don’t generally get you impact players.
Having good will and a reputation as an organization that does right by players is exponentially more valuable than the difference between a 4th and 6th round pick.
Maybe you don’t remember but right out of the gate, people were speculating that the Bears might get a first or second round pick for Fields.
It’s not at all implausible to speculate that the Bears had better offers.
Poles getting a 4th instead of a 6th round pick wouldn’t have improved the Bears. Poles decision to do right by the player, carries a lot more weight when attracting free agents in the future and respect from the current roster. Fields has the talent, just doesn’t exude leadership or emotion. I watched him the last few years and you couldn’t tell if they were winning or losing not to mention, he just doesn’t seem to be a baller.
Which team(s) offered a 4th for Fields? I don’t recall hearing that. Poles got what he could for Fields is my guess. Now maybe another team offered a 6th and Justin wanted to be in Pitt, but that would be about it.
Besides obviously people didn’t read the article. The pick MIGHT TURN INTO A 4TH ROUNDER anyway. Wilson is 35 and bad, I’m saying Fields gets 51% of the snaps. And the Bears get a 4th. What are they going to do, Sit him to save a better draft pick? Seriously? LMAO
Thanks for answering the question. No team offered a 4th straight up for Fields. Stop acting like a GM did a player he’s trading ‘a favor’. Poles got the best value he could, simple as that.
Not simple as that at all. Poles even stated they turned down better offers to help Justin land somewhere he wanted. It goes a long way to handle touchy QB replacements with class. See Minnesota with Kirk, they were honest they would draft a QB this year and only guarantee him 1 year on contract. Atlanta did the opposite and despite what Kirk says he won’t forget it.
Please send any link of a team offering more than a 6th round pick. Not a link from Poles saying he turned down better offers.
If Fields were decent, he would have been dealt for more than a 6th round pick. No different than Mac being shipped to the Jags.
We have no idea, but it’s not crazy to speculate that Poles might have passed up offers for outright 4th round picks because the teams offering them were places Fields did not want to go. That’s what it sounds like at least.
Then Poles should be fired for not getting the best value for a player he’s trading. Does every GM ask a player on the market ‘where do you want to play?’. Heck no, this ‘Poles is nice’ only to make it sound like Fields had a market that never existed.
If Poles purposely dropped from around the 110 to the 170’s area in the draft to a player he’s trading a favor; well then enjoy another losing season Bears fans.
Stupid take and McCaskey was 100% onboard with this. Poles can easily trade back and grab a 4th next year. How you handle off loading the inherited “face of franchise” that the players liked goes a very long way when it comes to contract or free agent negotiations.
I didn’t see M Sweat upset about signing a big deal w/ the Bears not knowing what was going to happen at the QB position. Same for their CB inking a big deal before the draft.
‘Face of the franchise’ is only lip service. If team A is offering you $15m a year for 3 years, (the best deal submitted to you) you don’t care about last year’s roster.
Carolina signed a bunch a FA’s, as did DC. NE had no problem retaining players on their team and adding some from outside. Money talks, that’s it.
Given how the schedule worked out, it is even more imperative that the QB who gives the team the best chance to win starts week 1. Given the last 8 games (6 against the division, plus KC and Philly) if the Steelers don’t start at least 6-3 they will be completely sunk. I’m not going to wear rose colored glasses and say we should beat the Browns and always play the Ravens tough, etc.
This could easily be a tale of 2 seasons—Wilson gets up until the bye week to show he’s the guy. If they are average or worse, Fields takes over week 10 at Washington and they evaluate him the remainder of the year (albeit against stiff competition).
Wilson only made 26 passes in 2024 and had 8 interceptions? Either that’s a bad typo or Fields really is the best option.
Lol I saw that too. I think they meant to say 26 Passing TDs.
Try Fields at RB or WR. Dude is an athlete and can definitely do some damage somewhere.
If he talks like a Tebow, and walks like a Tebow…
He probably isn’t cut out for pro football.
He runs way better than Tebow did. Go watch some of his highlights. He’s shaking off tackles and blowing past safeties and CBs.
Tebow made the playoffs and won a game. They both were good in college and now we know they both stink. Fields had his opportunities, and has been the exact same player every year. Not very good. Pretending he can be some amazing TE or kick returner and that will somehow be as impactful as if he was an average to good QB is just ignorance. Kadarius Toney is a busted first round pick who cannot catch or line up properly. No one is saying he should go out and try to play defensive back… he just shouldn’t be in the NFL. Just like Fields and Tebow.
He’s probably going to be KR1 with thr new kickoff rules.
We foolishly convinced ourselves there would be no more drama in Pittsburgh after Antonio Brown left…OOPS!
I’m a little confused. Where’s the drama?
They traded the drama queen to the Eagles
If you mean QB competition, sorry, I don’t see that as a negative
The Steeler were once considered about as solid and stable as an NFL franchise could be but they seem to have sailed into turbulent waters recently. Last season they had all that drama surrounding Canada as OC. Then there was talk of them moving on from Tomlin (bad idea). This year they have the QB debate heating up and a potentially messy situation with Heyward to resolve. There just seems to be a lot more distractions around the Steelers than we saw when they ruled their division.
Oh I understand
I thought you meant AB, Leveon, Claypool type drama, or Diontae pouting in the locker room
I don’t think the QB competition is drama. Not even sure. Am qualifies
Kind of minor in comparison
“… not even sure Cam qualifies….”
Sorry
I know some Steelers fans have soured on Tomlin but when it comes to managing egotistical and moody players…I don’t think there’s any coach that does a better job than Mike.
Biggest problem is they haven’t found their franchise QB since Big Ben. Still well coached, playing good D, and winning games. Not a fan of OC Arthur Smith, but if you want drama, I’d start there.
Wilson had decent bounce back season last year. Sean Peyton expected peak Wilson which he didn’t get but I think it was foolish to unload him for nothing taking a huge cap hit and drafting a completely unknown Bo Nix. Should’ve kept Wilson and had him and Nix compete for the job. If Wilson won out Nix might benefit from sitting a year. If you’re gonna pay him anyway might as well have him mentor a young qb or at least offer so competition to make him earn it.
Funny that we haven’t heard much about the circus that surrounded Wilson in Denver being replicated in Pittsburgh (e.g., security entourage, special parking spot, personal office in team facility, etc.). I wonder if Tomlin has put a foot down or whether it is being covered up.
I don’t think Tomlin will let anyone hear anything. Russ won’t get his special treatment in Pittsburgh, that’s for sure.
The problem with Arthur Smith is the Steelers don’t have Derrick Henry at RB.