With a few big moves, the Pittsburgh Steelers have completely changed their quarterback group. But how the position looks in Pittsburgh after the 2024 season is still uncertain. On March 19, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac shared his thoughts on what the future may hold for new Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Most notably, he stated that it is very unlikely the Steelers will opt for Fields’ fifth-year option. The team has to make that decision by May 2. Pittsburgh Steelers have completely transformed their quarterback room. But how the position looks in Pittsburgh after the 2024 season remains to be seen. On March 19, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac weighed in on what the future may hold for new Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Most notably, Dulac wrote that “it is highly unlikely” the Steelers will pick up Fields’ fifth-year option. The team must make that decision by May 2.
Dulac reported picking up Fields’ option will cost a projected $19.9 million for the 2025 season. But even if the Steelers decline the option, Fields could remain in Pittsburgh past this season.
“That doesn’t preclude the possibility Fields, who just turned 25, could be signed to a new multiyear deal even before the start of the 2024 season,” Dulac wrote. “After all, it would make sense.
“Fields is being viewed as a potential quarterback for the future with the Steelers, even though he was 10-28 as a starter in three seasons with the Bears. It is not their intention to bring him in merely as a backup for one season.
The Steelers traded a conditional sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for Fields on March 16. That was a day after the Steelers dealt Kenny Pickett Philadelphia Eagles quarterback NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote to the on X (formerly Twitter) that Fields will be Wilson’s backup in 2024..
Steelers’ Future Plans With Justin Fields At the beginning of the offseason, experts overwhelmingly considered Fields as a starter if the Bears traded him. That likely won’t happen, though, as he ended up in Pittsburgh days after the team signed Wilson.
Interestingly, the Steelers were reportedly set on Wilson having to compete with Pickett for the starting job. However, the team does not have the same plan with Wilson and Fields.
“Unlike what would have occurred if Pickett wanted to stick around and fight for his job, Wilson has been given the job as the No. 1 quarterback,”
“Unlike what would have occurred if Rudolph and Pickett both remained, Fields has been told there will be no competition for the starting job in training camp.
Unless the Steelers pick up Fields’ option or sign him to a new contract as Dulac suggested, neither of Pittsburgh’s top two quarterbacks will be under contract for 2025. wrote Dulac.
Russell Wilson’s Potential Future in Pittsburgh
As the Steelers have learned, quarterback plans can quickly change. Without a doubt, how the 2024 season goes will impact Fields’ future. That’s true even if he doesn’t play much.
If Wilson leads the Steelers to the postseason and ends the team’s 5-game playoff losing streak, then it’s hard to see the Steelers not keeping Wilson for 2025.
Wilson’s next deal in Pittsburgh could be for multiple seasons.
“To some extent, it is a “show-me” contract, with Wilson wanting to prove he still has some gas in the tank as he nears his 36th birthday and the Steelers wanting to see if it is true,”
“But it is more than that. According to multiple sources, both Wilson and the Steelers intend to sign a longer-term deal after the season. How long is not known — Wilson said at his introductory press conference last week he plans to play another five to seven years — but both sides intend to have the arrangement extend beyond 2024.
In that case, it would not be surprising if Fields decided to explore free agency to try to find another starting position. wrote Dulac.
The situation will be quite different, however, if Wilson has a disappointing performance in 2024. It is possible that Fields could come back to the Steelers as the team's starter in 2025.
The Steelers have improved their quarterback group on paper this offseason. However, the long-term uncertainty still remains.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentioned that it is “highly unlikely” that the Pittsburgh Steelers will choose to exercise the fifth-year option for quarterback Justin Fields.
The Steelers have upgraded their quarterback room on paper this offseason. But the long-term uncertainty still exists.
