The Steelers' Future Plans At Quarterback Could Suddenly Be Ruined By AFC Foe

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in quarterback purgatory ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 NFL season. The organization immediately drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he didn't work out in Pittsburgh as he was traded after just two seasons with the team. In an effort to fix the position, General Manager Omar Khan acquired both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields during the 2024 offseason. Now, the organization seems as though it might have the quarterback of the future.

Fields has been the starter for Pittsburgh throughout the beginning of the season, and he has led the team to a 3-0 record. He has improved with each performance, and some believe the organization has found their franchise quarterback. The only issue is that Fields is only under contract through the end of the 2024 season. He will then become a free agent, but it seems as though he loves being in Pittsburgh and would wants to come back to the organization that helped revive his career. 

Dorin Dickerson is a former NFL player and current radio host on 93.7 The Fan. During his show on Friday, he shared some cause for concern revolving around keeping Fields in Pittsburgh and believes the Miami Dolphins may get in the way.

"Think about that situation. So say that Tua [Tagovailoa] does elect to retire. I don't know what kind of exemption they would have with his contract. Maybe there's an exemption where they can accrue some of the money and give him his guaranteed, I don't know how that works. They are willing to give out money as we've seen, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, even signing Odell Beckham, I don't even know if he's played this year. But they are a lucrative franchise. They need a quarterback, and that would be very sexy to Justin Fields."

As many NFL fans know, current Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had a lot of issues with concussions throughout his career. They were a serious issue for the quarterback during the 2022 season, and he suffered another scary concussion in Week 2 which landed him on Injured Reserve. There has been a lot of debate about whether or not Tagovailoa should retire due to the head injuries he has gone through, and if he does, Miami will be in the market for a quarterback.

Another quarterback who retired due to concussion issues prior to the 2019 season was Andrew Luck. He still brought in his guaranteed money for that season, however. The same would likely happen to Tagovailoa if he decided to hang it up. This would put the Dolphins in position to acquire a quarterback during the 2025 offseason, either through trade or free agency. 

Miami has a great receiving core with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, which is what a quarterback would desire. Fields' legs would also look good in Miami's offense. This isn't something that needs to be worried about until the 2024 season comes to a close, but Fields certainly looks like a quarterback the Steelers would want to keep around for the foreseeable future.

Steelers' Justin Fields Would Benefit From Staying In Pittsburgh

Fields has had a rocky career in the NFL, which started with the Chicago Bears. He looks more comfortable in Pittsburgh than he ever did with Chicago, and has become an efficient passer during his time with the Steelers. Staying in Pittsburgh would be the right move for the quarterback, no matter how attractive Miami is as a landing spot.

The Steelers will be able to sign Fields to a new deal before he hits free agency, which will probably be a major priority for the organization. It is a long shot that Fields would willingly leave Pittsburgh after 2024, but with how he has played, there will certainly be some teams trying to poach him from Pittsburgh.

What do you think about Dickerson's theory? Let us know in the comments below!

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