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Justin Fields looks like he will get another season to prove himself as starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Russell Wilson, however, is headed to being one and done. According to an NFL Media report, Fields is “more likely” to be their QB re-signing of choice over Wilson.
Fields and Wilson would both become unrestricted, unsigned free agents next week when NFL free agency begins. But there’s a fair chance that only Wilson makes the market, with the Steelers agreeing on a deal to bring Fields back before then.
Here’s breaking down why Pittsburgh is leaning toward Fields leading its QB room after turning to a healthy Wilson over him in the middle of last season, both QBs’ first with the Steelers:
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Why the Steelers want to re-sign Justin Fields
The Steelers made the switch from Fields to Wilson to give them more downfield passing-game upside, given big speedster George Pickens is their top wide receiver. He did that, all the way through a wild-card playoff to the AFC North rival Ravens, but the team went only 6-6 with Wilson starting. Fields went 4-2 early and his key passing numbers, including rating (93.3 vs 95.6) and yards per attempt (6.9 vs. 7.4) weren’t that different in end.
Fields is a fundamental better fit with his running ability for Arthur Smith’s offense. He still can develop his strong arm to execute better on deep pass attempts. When Fields started, the team leaned a lot on run-heavy game plan using his legs, with Fields carrying the ball a combined 55 times in his 6 starts. In relation, Wilson had only 46 rushing attempts in 12 starts.
Pittsburgh used 2024 as a QB reset and reevaluation year under Smith. The Steelers finished 10-7 and lost right away in the playoffs with Wilson, matching the result of the previous season’s Kenny Pickett-Mason-Rudolph-Mitchell Trubisky carousel. When considering cost, age, upside and immediate value, Fields has much more appeal for the Steelers in 2025, but he may be only part of the team’s quarterback solution.
What re-signing Justin Fields would mean for the Steelers’ 2025 draft
Fields would be an indication of QB type for which the Steelers are looking going forward.
At No. 21 overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they shouldn’t be in the mix for Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. But a quarterback for the Steelers comes into play on Day 2, when they pick No. 52 overall in the second round and No. 83 overall in the third round.
Based on the combination of arm and athleticism, either Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart or Alabama’s Jalen Milroe would make sense to pair and develop along with Fields, who turned 26 on March 5.
Later in the draft on Day 3, two fast-running QBs at the NFL Combine, Louisville’s Tyler Shough and Missouri’s Brady Cook, would offer some more project-like flyers and no short-term competition for Fields. A combination of Fields and Milroe would be most intriguing, meaning the Steelers are embracing having a “running QB.”
Going for another one-time Super Bowl-winning veteran such as Aaron Rodgers to replace Wilson wouldn’t make much sense for the Steelers. But going full youth movement with their two options feels like the right path for the Steelers to hit on a higher ceiling at. QB.
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