The Steelers’ party line of wanting to extend the Russell Wilson partnership beyond this season began shortly after the QB’s signing. It continued deep into the season, as the team zoomed to 10-3. But Wilson struggled down the stretch, as Pittsburgh’s schedule stiffened, and lost his final five games as the team’s starter.
Wilson wants to stay with the Steelers, but his value took a hit down the stretch. Signs of frustration with Wilson emerged within the Steelers, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. This would stand to affect the team’s desire to bring the 13-year veteran back at a higher rate. Wilson’s grip on the Steelers’ starting job never appeared to loosen once he recovered from his calf injury, but the Mike Tomlin-led decision to bench Justin Fields was not unanimous.
A historically sack-prone quarterback, Wilson stayed on this course. The Chiefs, Bengals and Ravens combined to sack him 13 times over the past three weeks. The Steelers never found a reliable No. 2 wide receiver, though Mike Williams did resemble one sporadically, and they dealt with two significant offensive line injuries — to Troy Fautanu and James Daniels. While veteran Steelers insider Mark Kaboly notes Fautanu will be ready for OTAs — after the first-round tackle suffered a dislocated kneecap, Wilson may not be a lock to join him.
Wilson’s momentum screeched to a halt late in the season, and he is now 36. The quarterback did see drop issues plague the offense against Cincinnati, and he fired a laser to George Pickens — the primary culprit vs. the Bengals — for a touchdown against the Ravens. But the nine-time Pro Bowler trended downward during the season’s defining stretch. Pegging Wilson’s value, even on a weak QB market, will be tougher as a result.
A December estimation on this market moved to the Baker Mayfield place — three years, $100MM — but after the Steelers’ nosedive, it would be surprising if Wilson received that kind of offer from the Steelers. The Steelers do not negotiate in-season, so no talks have taken place. It would stand to reason the sides will huddle up, but the franchise has now gone eight seasons without a playoff win. Wilson was only involved in one of those years, but it also makes sense for the Steelers to explore a better option. Though, the team continuing to win and camp as an upper-middle-class operation makes finding one difficult.
Fields joins Wilson as a free agent and only saw action on a handful of plays, as a gadget option, after Wilson recovered from his nagging injury. That said, the Steelers entered the season open to exploring a long-term deal with their younger QB, and Breer adds the team “would love” to keep working with the 25-year-old passer. Though, the veteran reporter cautions the team might be interested in keeping Fields as a backup. That would stand to be a sticking point for the 2021 first-round pick, who could conceivably draw QB1 interest elsewhere — as a stopgap, if nothing else — during an offseason featuring a thin free agent market and a maligned rookie prospect pool.
Wilson is set to join Kirk Cousins — who will almost definitely be released, despite Falcons hopes at trading him — as aging starters on the market. No QB played this season for between $12.5MM per year and $25MM per annum, and only two players (Gardner Minshew and Geno Smith) populated that salary range. Mayfield’s $33MM-AAV pact is next on that list. Both Steelers QBs may be threats to expand that unpopulated QB middle class between Minshew and Smith.
Fields completed 65.8% of his passes to Wilson’s 63.7, though the latter threw 336 passes to Fields’ 161. Fields’ 7.4 yards per attempt also bettered Wilson’s number (6.9). Wilson did finish the regular season with a 16-5 TD-INT ratio, while Fields’ issues through the air again revealed themselves ahead of his October benching. The three-year Bears starter should still generate conversations about a starting gig somewhere; that will increase his value potentially beyond the Steelers’ comfort zone — if the AFC North club is set on him as a backup-only option, at least.
Plenty needs to be sorted out for the Steelers, who have smashed their heads against a low ceiling for a while now. The team is expected to retain Tomlin for a 19th season; he and Omar Khan will have a significant decision to make soon.
Fields could be an interesting option for the giants, raiders or titans.
Fields
Hunter at 3
QB in second round.
Dream scenario as a Giants Fan.
@mustang: I’d prefer Fields, Hunter at three, and a QB next year.
I can live with that.
I think Fields will stick with Steelers and be the starter
As a steelers fan , I wouldn’t bat an eye at losing him , but seems like that’s been the plan
If you need any further proof the Steelers sabotaged their whole season to save a draft pick for 2 rounds here you go. Morons. Hilarious thing is if Cunningham gets the Titans job the Bears will be awarded 2 3rd round picks one this year and one next year. So it will work out fine. LMAO
I actually agree with uncle Mike on this point
Steelers were far too focused on limiting Fields snap count than using him naturally.
That whole priority should’ve gone out the window once they won 10 games and were in contender mode. Like you’re really priorizing a late round pick over a potential division or conference title?
Pretty dumb. I agree.
Browns.
The Raiders had Luke Getsy on staff, and he got the most out of Justin Fields in Chicago. They could have had Justin Fields for a step up from a 6th round pick that could become an incentive laden 4th. Someone knew something to stay thank you but no thanks.
No other teams wanted Fields, except for Pittsburgh. He’ll still be QB2 there if he comes back.
George Pickens demanding a trade like all the great Steelers WRs before him in 3….2…..1
Hines Ward never demanded a trade
Santonio was dumped for bad behavior
AB requested trade, yes
Dionte not great at all
Mike Wallace patiently waited for free agency
Just trying to figure out who these Steelers WRs are who requested a trade?
“Knowledgable one”
SAntonio Holmes posted 824, 942, 821, 1248 yards before he wanted out. Steelers were unwilling to give him a new contract atop the market after his peak year and like all divas was threatening hold out for a new contract going into his 5th year tag. “Dumped just for bad behavior” false. He was also dumped to avoid the drama over him holding out for a new contract which is a trend you see with a lot of names you mentioned. They want a new deal or want out.
Dionate Johnson posted 680, 923 yards, 1161 yards, 882, 717 with the last two years being thrown balls by Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubinsky. “Not all that great” false.
“Mike Wallace waited till free agency”’
Again false. Mike Wallace held out either wanting a new contract from the Steelers or to be traded to a team that would give him a new contract. He didn’t wait till free agency he held out hoping he’d get either a contract or traded. Thats not waiting at all.
AB requested a trade or pay day as did everyone else you listed at some point in their Pitt tenure
You also have reports that Juju wanted out of Pitt soon as Big Ben was done. Course he “denied” the reports but what is he suppose to say “I don’t want to be here please don’t pay me?”
Unfortunately injuries derailed a promising career from juju
I remember the Wallace fiasco. Oh what could have been huh?
Wallace and AB both threw their statistical careers away when they left the steelers
I mean Wallace got a bag, and AB almost got a bag. (Extension got voided by Raiders I believe)
But purely as a fan, it’s tough watching Mike Wallace go to the obscurity of a team with no QB. Would’ve been interesting to see his career had he stayed with Big Ben.
Likewise, AB just needed to keep it going for just 2 more seasons to be knocking on all Jerry Rice’s records
Lot of what if’s
Their best option could be the OTHER QB Kyle Allen…. And draft Milroe
Kyle Allen did honestly look the best of the 3 steelers QBs
Which isn’t saying much, but since I’m not super high on Fields, I’d be indifferent to Fields or Allen (both are rated good backups who can start) if they go passive at qb
I was just saying that same thing. I totally agree .
Steelers should consider Darnold if he’s not franchised.
Keep Fields as the starter which he will accept at a lower rate. Draft Jalen Milroe in 3rd rd and give him 2 years development on clip board like Love. Perfect Tandem, and we know Tomlin loves him some Alabama players.
If they go with Fields it would be to tank for a real franchise QB
Don’t see the point of get an early jump on another low ceiling qb like milroe
Fields should come to Cleveland, so he can extract revenge against the Shittsburgh Squealers twice a year for benching him.
As a Steelers fan I’d love nothing more than this to happen.
Fields to titans makes so much sense. In that offense under Callahan who helped burrow thrive on offense with new weapons and Ridley could be dangerous
What if they had actually let Fields play and develop and try to reach his extremely high ceiling, which you MUST have in a QB to win in today’s league, instead of being a game manager with training wheels?
You have to chase upside until you have it.
Fields to Las Vegas? Russell Wilson needs to retire. He’s tarnishing any legacy he may have had. He’s definitely not a number 1 any more. Some guys accept the demotion like Andy Dalton, but some have a big ego and continue to stink up the place. Go home, kick up your feet and take a rest.
I called this a train wreck in July. Many people will say it wasn’t a train wreck and they’ll beat their chest and say see another 10 win season. That’s the problem with a lot of Steeler fans.
6 rings. Last losing season in 2003. That’s the problem with Steelers fans.
Nah more like 2 rings in 45 years and no playoff advancement in 14 of the last 18 years. Thank God we can hang our hat on regular season wins (only before December when they don’t matter). It’s a stale team with stale leadership and sure, high end QBs don’t just grow on trees but a lot of those years involved a HoF QB too. Tomlin’s gonna get a golden bust one day (and the national media will be dripping over his speech) so it’s all for naught until his contract runs out at this point most likely. 2 more winning seasons to go!
Test
I didn’t see anything that says Fields is the answer. Wilson doesn’t look like he is the answer, though he still looks better than Fields. The problem is there isn’t a winning answer.
Oh, and Milroe is NOT the answer short or long term. He is no where close to a good enough, or consistent passer, plus he can’t read defenses at the college level, so good luck in the NFL. 90% of Bama fans are happy he has moved on.
I honestly really hope they sign Justin and try and develop him into a Lamar Jackson style Quarterback. And if we have a bad season then at least we might get a good draft pick to find our next Quarterback.
That’s what THIS season should have been.