As the countdown to free agency continues, the Steelers are still weighing their quarterback options. An external addition should not be expected, but maintaining a Russell Wilson–Justin Fields tandem for 2025 would also be a surprise. 
Owner Art Rooney II recently noted Pittsburgh will likely re-sign only one of Wilson or Fields this offseason while aiming to achieve continuity under center and also find a long-term solution at the QB spot. Wilson suffered a calf injury late in training camp which allowed for Fields to handle starting duties for the first six weeks of the season. The former Bears first-rounder helped his stock within the organization during that 4-2 span, but Wilson took the over QB1 gig when healthy.
Head coach Mike Tomlin‘s decision on that front was not unanimous, an indication of the support Fields had to continue as starter and, potentially, to remain with the Steelers. Indeed, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “some people” in the organization who prefer to re-sign the 25-year-old and by doing so allow Wilson to depart in free agency. The team is known to be interested in retaining Fields, so that update comes as little surprise.
Still, it became clear as the season wore on that Tomlin’s clear preference was for Wilson to remain atop the depth chart despite his and the team’s struggles down the stretch. The Steelers’ offense repeatedly came up short as a five-game losing streak ended their campaign in the wild-card round, illustrating the need for upgrades at several positions. Expectations would be tempered if Wilson, 36, were to remain in place – something which would require a more lucrative commitment than the veteran minimum salary he played for in 2024.
As Fowler notes, the prospect of a undisputed starting gig will no doubt be a top priority for Fields as he weighs his options. The Ohio State product has not developed as hoped as a passer during his career, but his age and rushing ability could make him one of the more intriguing QBs on the open market. Sam Darnold is the top option set to reach free agency, but a lack of proven passers (coupled with an underwhelming draft class) could leave Fields considering offers from a number of suitors.
One of those prospective teams could of course be the Steelers, especially if the sect in the organization which favors retaining him manages to convince Tomlin and/or general manager Omar Khan to go the younger route under center. Pittsburgh looms as a team to watch regarding a notable quarterback draft investment this year or next, as Rooney alluded to last month. Before a decision is made on that front, however, one will be required regarding Fields’ future.
If they liked Fields over Wilson for future why keep starting Russell once he hit that 5 gm losing streak that cost em playoffs ?
I saw them play a few times. NHarris is a back up rb and not starting caliber. The wr1 Pickens drops too many passes. They need more and better weapons to be competitive.
You mean the five game streak that started with facing three of the best teams in football in 11 days? Would Fields have made it better?
No, Fields would not have been able to beat any of those teams. He cannot process the field.
How did it cost them the playoffs? They made the playoffs.
Well it cost them the number 2 seed which would’ve put them in an easier matchup against Chargers or Phins.
Fields seems to have more upside and was winning games. Consistency and mind boggling fumbles on basic transitions limit his ceiling, but seemingly could have a good season with some luck.
, Russ supposedly a safer game manager, but really missed a lot of reads and had at least one very costly fumble (Ravens game) , but I think he’d do better if they had a real weapon underneath like Kupp or a good rookie etc. so wouldn’t be totally against his return.
Hard to say what the right choice is, but I definitely think they’ll go with Fields.
And they’d have lost to either team
Their number one problem is a horrible O-line. It’s the top reason Russ floundered down the stretch, and he already held onto the ball too long anyway. It’s the reason why Najee got the ball at about the same time the D-line got to him. And receivers who had difficulty getting separation, along with a diva like Pickens, who quit on plays
So many problems here that it’s hard to know where to start, and it starts with their coach.
There aren’t many QB’s who could come here and succeed. Might as well go with the younger guy….if he even wants to come back
Big mistake. That would set them back two years.
Wilson to the Giants. IMO I’m not sure Ward or Sanders are franchise players
Darnold to NYG.
The Titans will stupidly overpay Darnold.
With all these QBs getting like 40 or 50M… neither of these guys feels like they are worth more than 10 a year.
I’m skeptical that Fields can become more than a bottom third starter, but he does seem to win over teammates.
Good dude, bad QB.
As a Bears fan. Fields is likeable. Teammates love him. He may be a top 32 QB but not much more than that likely. He needs more than the dumpster fire Bears or terrible offense of Steelers to have any chance of sustained success.
His wheels are Vick-like once he runs. If he can stay healthy taking that season’s long clobbering when he takes off. Passing game is work in progress but his running ability is dynamic n can help carry a team. W/Fields there’s maybe promise of more as w/Russell he’s in decline.
Yeah…no. Running QB’s can get you to .500 maybe. Is that the ceiling you want?
Lamar?
Lamar can also do the other things.
They should focus on getting nick chubb. And making a push with one or both qbs. The style inverse of Harris and Chubb would put you atleast in playoff contention without significant upgrades. And you can use the cash to bolster defense. You wouldn’t even need draft capitol this year. You could trade it for equal value next draft and be sitting awesome during a gap year.
Nah, they need young legs at RB r1 or r2
I think its WR that they could supplement with a free agent or trade since GP14 covers a lot of ground, but the offense is mainly just lacking a pair of soft hands underneath
That’s why they were trying to trade for Ayuik all last off-season. There’s probably not as dynamic of a receiver on the market this year.
Nick Chubb and his 3.3 YPA provides ample evidence he is cooked. Just like Zeke Elliott was going into 2024 (3.5 YPA in 2023 with the Patriots). Zeke put up 3.1 YPA in 2024.
When a RB tells you they are cooked, you should believe them.
Tiger’s probably right, as much as I loathe that word (cooked). Older RBs can have success, but in the cases where they do, they definitely need a powerful offensive line to keep from being hit in the backfield-especially when coming off an injury.
The briwns are cooked. No incentive since he’s been back. I’m a perfect 6/6 on calling these. Tryst the guy that had Barkley and henery going ape. Well documented. Infact. Never wrong. Always strong.
Yes, an aging running back is the answer to their problems (yes, this is sarcasm). You missed the Steelers’ biggest issue, which is the offensive line.
If they choose Fields, they’d better be ready to reimagine their offense. It was the mistake I thought Eberflus made. Fields was a perfect comp to Cam Newton coming out, and he didn’t build their offense that way.
Matt Nagy was Fields coach for his first few seasons.
Imagine re-imagining an offense where Artie Smith is in control and thinks pounding the run game behind a horrible O-line is the ideal.
As opposed to going pass heavy with only one difference making wr, a oline that struggled to pass block, and a qb that isn’t the best at seeing the field without play action?
I thought the o line was pretty OK in 2024
Najee never ripped off any explosive plays because he doesn’t have a second gear.
And I thought they were reasonable in pass protection.
Best o-line play in years (used to be worst)
The OT they took r1 last year should be back from injury next year too.
As well as Broderick Jones likely hitting his prime.
Seaumaulu was an All-Pro.
McCormick did amazing for a rookie.
Frazier made a few mistakes, but overall did well for a rookie.
They have their guys on the o-line. Unit should be a plus next season
You must be joking. Seriously.
Do you watch the games?
Please know I have no favorites where the Steelers are concerned. I don’t see anything special here outside of Watt
That said, there’s a reason the Eagles dominated and it was their lines. Period. They just pushed teams around
Here, both Wilson and Fields were under fire literally every time they dropped back. Najee often got the ball at the same D-linemen were getting to him. I like Warren and his quick bursts and overall stature to get through the line. But he’s never gonna be a 17-game player or 20+ carries a game type
The only thing I will agree with your latest post is that Frazier and McCormick will improve. Fautanu may be a keeper, time will tell. But jeez, as a group they sure got pushed around this year
There is no long term solution at QB on the Steelers radar so they should just stick with Wilson and Fields as stopgaps for now. They know the system whereas someone like Darnold doesn’t. Their focus should be on an OL upgrade so that when they finally draft their guy, he will be able to have the impact that Stroud had as a rookie.
There really isn’t a great option that would truly solve any teams looking for a qb this offseason so I think that’s probably the best plan for the Steelers. A two year deal for either Russ or Fields and hope to get Milroe or Dart in the second round is probably best case scenario.
Having watched both of those kids in college, all I can say is…..ugh
Exactly.
Fields on a 1 year deal
Steelers get a top 10 pick
Trade Tomlin after season
It’s already been reported by Steelers insiders that rus will not be back. Especially after hearing the news that Arthur smith couldn’t stand Rus the last 5 games since Rus would audible and change the call at the line every time.
He had that last issue in Denver, as well. I don’t consider Fields a real upgrade, but his issue is missing the play, not changing it at the line.
Oh I remember, I watched every rus game in den. Similar story lines in den and pit, inflated stats, but as boring as paint drys. And wins just enough games. The issues date back to his last season in Seattle though. And I agree, I don’t see fields ever being a true elite caliber qb. I could see pit taking a flier on Dart in the draft though, or bringing in geno.
Since Brad Johnson, the only Super Bowl winning QB who could be considered less than elite was Nick Foles. A fluke, by virtually any metric.
Wilson, Flacco and Stafford are the next tier.
The rest are all first ballot HOF’ers.
You need an elite QB to win in today’s NFL…SO…until you have one you have to chase upside as hard as you can until you get it.
This year, just as it was last year, the Steelers’ option with the most upside is Justin Fields. Last year should have been spent finding out what they had in Fields, gradually taking off the training wheels and then giving him the full playbook and full stage and finding out what he could do.
Instead, they wasted time with Wilson, who was better than expected, and still a waste of time. He was never going to get them over the top.
Nor do you waste time with high floor, low ceiling options like Pickett.
Is Fields a good bet? Not really, but the upside is huge and he is, at present, their BEST bet, by a mile.
Exploring that upside as fully as possible should be their primary focus right now.
Ok so Wilson
Steelers really should blow this roster up and tank for a franchise qb in 2026 but they won’t do it so they’ll continue to be stuck around 9 to 11 wins and a 1st round exit given the elite qb play in the AFC.