The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the 2024 offseason knowing that one of the key areas for the team to address was the quarterback situation. Two subpar seasons of Kenny Pickett meant that the Steelers couldn't rely on the third-year passer to grow into what he was drafted to be. After Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson to be their starter for 2024, Pickett didn't take kindly to the prospect of being the backup and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. All this led to Justin Fields coming to Pittsburgh via trade whiched completed the revamped quarterback room.
USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback Kenny Pickett during a Pittsburgh Steelers' practice.
Despite the obvious improvement in the quarterback group since 2023, Mike Greenberg said on ESPN that if Pittsburgh had known how low Fields' cost would be, Wilson wouldn't have been wearing black and gold. In response to that, on Friday, Ray Fittipaldo was on The Joe Starkey Show, where he broke down the timeline of the Fields' trade. According to Fittipaldo, the cost had nothing to do with acquiring Fields when they did; it was all about the timing.
"I'm sure Omar [Khan] was keeping in touch with Ryan Poles from the end of the season until whenever that deal was made, so I can't imagine that, you know, a week or two passed, and Ryan Poles said, 'Okay, it's a first-round pick, and now it's a sixth-round pick,' So I, to me, I think Russell Wilson was their guy... You know, I think the reason Justin Fields is here is because Kenny Pickett wanted out, and once Kenny Pickett wanted out you needed to get a viable backup in here because you have a 36-year-old quarterback in Russell Wilson."
Pittsburgh is eager to put the 2023 season far in the rearview mirror, and conducting a full overhaul of the quarterback position was a point of necessity. During the 2023 and 2024 offseasons, Omar Khan has bulked up the offensive trenches with free-agent signings like Isaac Seumalo and high-profile draft picks such as Troy Fautanu. Even with an improved offensive line, the Steelers couldn't realistically expect to be competitive in 2024 with Pickett under center, even as a backup.
Fields comes to the Steelers after three seasons with the Chicago Bears, who selected him 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Chicago had high hopes for Fields to become the savior of the franchise, but despite showing flashes of brilliance with both his arm and legs (2,220 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns from 2021 to 2023), he ended up going to Pittsburgh for a conditional sixth-round 2025 draft pick. Wilson will be the starter for the Steelers going into the team's 2024 training camp, but there is a sense of relief with two potential starting quarterbacks on the roster.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback Justin Fields celebrates after a scoring play during a Chicago Bears' game.
Steelers Preparing For Legitimate QB Competition
Before the Steelers made the ill-fated decision to turn Pickett into the only first-round quarterback of the 2022 NFL Draft, it looked like Mitch Trubisky would be the next in line following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. Trubisky's time in the sun was short, with Pickett taking over early in the 2022 season.
The quarterback competition during the 2023 offseason was a sham at best, with Trubisky and Mason Rudolph well aware that Pickett would start the season under center, which is what ended up happening. Pittsburgh wants the quarterback competition during the 2024 training camp to be real this time, even if Wilson is the presumptive starter.
Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson looks up at the scoreboard during a game with the Denver Broncos.
Whether Fields puts on a show and steals the job or Wilson steadies the ship and brings leadership to the position, the Steelers are setting the starting quarterback up for success no matter what. It isn't just Seumalo and Fautanu; Broderick Jones, Zach Frazier, and James Daniels round out a talented, dangerous offensive line that is ready to protect the passer and open holes in the running game. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are eager to hit the ground running, literally, as they seek to continue their momentum from the home stretch of 2023.
Fields and Wilson already represent a major upgrade for the Steelers, so whichever one Arthur Smith gets to head up his offense will be in a prime position to make some noise in the league. 2023 ended on a surprising high note, despite the playoff loss, but in 2024 the Steelers want to take some serious leaps forward, and the quarterback room gives the team that chance.
Which quarterback would have more success in 2024 for the Steelers: Fields or Wilson?
#SteelerNation
