The quarterback position looms as one which faces uncertainty for the Steelers as the 2025 league year approaches. Owner Art Rooney II‘s latest comments on the subject confirmed changes should again be expected in the near future. 
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both pending free agents, and each saw playing time this past season as the team evaluated its options for 2025 and beyond. Rooney indicated his “preference” would be to re-sign one of the two while adding a commitment longer than one season would be ideal. That would seem to point Pittsburgh in Fields’ direction, but in any case keeping that tandem in place would be surprising.
“I wouldn’t close the door, but I’d say it’s probably unlikely,” Rooney said of keeping Wilson and Fields (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don’t know that they want to share the same job again next year. So, I would say most likely we probably don’t wind up bringing them both back.”
Rooney also noted that an ideal 2025 QB setup would see both of the Steelers’ top options possessing the same skillset (h/t Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show). That is a common goal for many teams, of course, but in this case it is another indication Pittsburgh will look to commit to either Wilson (and a new pocket passer to supplement him) or Fields (with another mobile passer being added). Free agency does not figure to provide many attractive options, and the Steelers are unlikely to that take route to make a notable addition.
“We’ve got a whole quarterback room to fill, and so there’s jobs open in there,” Rooney added. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we look in the draft as well either this year or next, and so that’s got to be the priority.”
The Steelers are set to select 21st in April’s draft, leaving the team out of range of the top quarterback prospects (albeit in a class which is not held in high regard). Pittsburgh’s last major draft investment under center – Kenny Pickett – was added from a similar position in 2022, but he was traded away as part of the team’s mass changes at the QB spot last spring. With Kyle Allen also on track for free agency, multiple new faces could be in place by Week 1 next season.
Fields, 25, has not lived up to his draft stock but the former Bears first-rounder helped the Steelers to a 4-2 record at the start of the season. He could generate a free agent market based on his potential upside compared to other options, but in all likelihood he would once again find himself competing for a QB1 gig even in a new environment. Wilson’s play took an unwanted turn at the end of the campaign, and making a long-term commitment in the 36-year-old would carry signficant risks. With Pete Carroll back on an NFL sideline as head coach of the Raiders, a reunion in Vegas has been floated as a possibility.
Mike Tomlin will remain in place as the Steelers’ coach for 2025, and a number of roster moves will be made before the start of next season. Until the quarterback situation becomes clearer, though, that will remain the focus of Pittsburgh’s offseason.
Wilson to raiders or titans makes sense. Fields could take reign of jets raiders or stay put with Pittsburgh.
I think it’s premature for Rooney to be talking about dumping these guys when he hasn’t a clue who might replace them. Does he want to recycle Trubisky and Rudolph or put the Steelers QB room into even worse shape?
He’s going to do that thing where they get a cheap ass depth piece like a Brissett or a Mike White and then maybe draft a QB or sign a veteran.
Of the two, Fields makes the most sense to me. Everyone knows his weakness is in the passing game. But the right OC who could design an offense around his strength- mobility- and a specific passing playbook (he does have solid arm strength), and a protection schemed for that system… it could work. They run well already and Tomlin is great for him. and he would be affordable..IMHO…
Yeah because the Steelers were so much better with Wilson. They didn’t sabotage their whole season to save 2 rounds on a draft pick. ROTFLMAO. Gimme a break.
I agree fields is a solid athlete but his passing prowess is why he fell to 11th 4 years ago. Unless Steelers want to go eagles route invest in a RB and create a Hurts-Barkley pass run scheme mixed in with a top tier O line
That offense is working pretty well for the Eagles. And the Ravens (though Jackson now plays QB well enough the Harbaugh could switch to a more traditional offense).
A variation of it worked for the Commies too this year, the Bills run something similar too.
Yeah exactly so that could be a viable strategy
I’ve never been a Fields fan, but I think he’s the right choice given the market.
I still don’t understand why they didn’t pick up his 5th year option.
A 1-year deal would be great at this point. Hopefully something short term can still be worked out
And also according to Rooney if one were to stay the other would go. I think in exit meetings both QBs made it clear they see themselves as a starter. Fields has talent and is way cheaper so it’s either teams with early picks take a look at fields or go all in on a QB in draft. Browns getting Fields makes a lot of sense too. Let Watsons contract run its course while having a cheaper more mobile QB in the wings to audition for franchise QB status
I honestly doubt Fields will end up being cheaper than Russ
Only thing I like about Russ is he’s definitely a 1-year rental (again)
There’s no QBs in this class, so prefer short term investment into one of the jabrony QBs from last year as a stop-gap.
Overall I think Tomlin and Fields have a handshake agreement, and steelers will end up overpaying on a commitment to keep him
I guess we’ll see unless Steelers front office is playing 8D chess I don’t think they want to keep fields. Tbh
There’s a reason Fields isn’t in Chicago, and a reason why the Steelers are willing to let him walk. He can’t throw accurately and makes terrible on field decisions. Teams can just stack up the line and dare him to throw in 1:1 coverage.
Steelers need a passer. Darnold would be an option if not franchised. And sadly this isn’t the year for QBs in the draft, either. This may be a good time to reboot and move pieces for picks.
There’s no way they pony up the dough for Darnold.
How many more seasons do you need to show Fields isn’t a starting NFL QB!
True Justin was 4-2 here, but almost 2× as many losses in his career as wins. That’s a pretty big sample size too. Move on Pittsburgh.
Saints in cap hell. Give the keys to a Carr type for now while looking for your future QB.
You’re describing a gadget player, not a starting NFL QB.
Lamar Jackson? Jalen hurts? Anthony Richardson?
Is there any chance Russell goes to the Giants? I know he’s old, but I’m not sure if Ward or Sanders are the real deal in the draft.
I highly doubt giants won’t draft a QB
Why not just let the Raiders overpay for Wilson’s services. Roll the dice on Fields.
They obviously think Wilson is better.
Do they still think that after the last few games?
The Raiders should only roll any dice on Fields if possible, Wilson is purely a stop-gap for any team.
Does Pittsburgh draft at QB at 21
Or
Trade back from 21 with someone 25-32 possibly trade back again with someone 33-39
And look to take someone like Jalen Milroe towards end of 1st or early 2nd?
Things to consider if Pitt doesn’t address the QB position in free agency.
Taking Jalen Milroe in the 2nd round would be huge mistake as he at best is a “project” and not worth that kind of draft capital……
I agree… Do you see any QBs out there who you feel would be a good “day 3” project to take on?
That would also infer we have a QB coach to work with him in his rookie year being a massive project, albeit a physically talented one. Such a coach wasn’t thought to be necessary when Mason Rudolph was a rookie.
Heck the Steelers could resign Justin Fields, draft Jalen Monroe and run a dual halfback offense. Somebody had a lot of success with this scheme in the 1950’s.
I agree but we all know QBs get over drafted every year
Someone is probably taking a chance on Milroe in 2nd and early.
I wonder if Steelers trade back and roll the dice on Milroe
Personally I think they should go get Davis Mills from the Texans. Shown promise in limited chances has 2 years left on his deal and could be had for like a 5th and 6th.
Chalk this one up under “Gee, ya think?”
After another optimistic season finished by the usual one and done, the Steelers might as well sink or swim with Fields. Give him most of the time under center, and if he shows something, great, if his weaknesses again show at least they can focus on who’s the guy.
That’s what they should have done last year.
Unless you thought Russ Wilson was going to win them a Super Bowl, finding out what they had in Fields should have been the priority.
Maybe they already know…
Both suck.
Art Rooney seems to feel some sort of obligation to speak publicly about the team, and the more he talks, the worse he makes things appear. His father and grandfather naturally lived in different times without all of these social media platforms, but they also had much better senses of when to say things and how much to say than Art ever has.
The Steelers will be the last to figure out their starting QB position because who’s to say either wants to come back to a team that just had the two worst tackles in the league in terms of sacks surrendered (some were totally Russ’s fault) and right now what’s looking to be the most barren offensive arsenal in the league, with or without George Pickens. The Mike Tomlin experience is going to come to a head, and not for the best, in the next season or two and I am ready for it along with whatever rebuild happens after.
My Patriots would like to have a word about who has the worst OL in the league.
Right behind the Bears…
Rodgers to Pittsburgh is all but done.
That’ll put the whole fan base on suicide watch
May sound crazy but Stafford would be perfect in Pittsburg
This is the only constructive comment on this entire thread. That is unless the Steelers are aiming for another year of mediocrity instead of trying to win a playoff game or two.
A 37 year old immovable quarterback will not get this team over the hump. They’d have to trade away assets to acquire (I doubt they release him unless it’s mutual) and then he’d probably want some financial guarantees as well beyond this year the team couldn’t afford with as many other holes as they have. On paper it looks sexy, but they’re better off trying to bring back Fields
They could use that 4th round draft pick they just saved. LMAO
Stafford is tough enough but the team needs more speed and weapons for him to put them in position to win in postseason. Give Wilson a Geno Smith type deal and dump him if he cant get them to meet expectations.
Believe me, I’d love to see Pittsburg saddled with Wilson for a couple more years, as would the rest of the AFC teams. But Stafford would make a better bridge to the future, knowing this year’s draft is not a great option unless they get lucky with a later-round pick.
Art is a disappointment. He has committed to Tomlin, which means they’ll go after Wilson instead of anybody else because Tomlin will get the final say. It would be a mistake to bet the next season(s) of a Wilson contract on this team being elite enough for the Super Bowl. The front office is content with mediocrity, even if they claim otherwise. Maybe 2025 will be a repeat of 2024 for the Steelers, but they should gear up to trade Tomlin to get an elite QB from the 2026 draft and really set the team up to win championships.
Unless the O-Line gets better, it’s not gonna matter who the QB is
What about trading for Malik Willis from the Packers? It might take a second round pick but every game he played in this year he threw the ball well plus he’s young and mobile.
I don’t really know that the Pack would want to let willis go, he has been very good
Willis is very coach dependent. He was terrible in Tn but Lafluer designed a way for him to fit in GB.
So, I finally realized why the “the Steelers MUST fire Tomlin” talk is so amusing to me…
Because we’ve already seen this (almost) exact same situation play out.
About a decade ago the same mushroom managed yinzers and dimestore local media decided that a coach was just RUINING the Steelers and that they could just NEVER win with this guy (who had already won a Super Bowl here) and they spent about two years banging the “he MUST be fired” drum. Every sports column, every sports show, etc. just calling for his firing because he was all but singlehandedly holding the team back.
A guy named Bruce Arians.
All Arians did after the yinzers ran him out of town was win two Coach of the Year awards with two different teams and then a Super Bowl with a third.
What a lousy coach.
But, it’s OK, yinzers got their wish. They got rid of that lousy coach and got…
Todd Haley.
Randy Fichner.
Matt Canada.
Arthur Smith.
So, these geniuses ran out an amazing coach because they are clueless and watched him get replaced by a series of bums.
And they learned nothing from it. And they are ready to do it again.