As the Pittsburgh Steelers' season winds down, there are many questions going into the offseason yet again. After another season, there's clear needs on both sides of the ball that the Steelers will need to address in free agency and the NFL Draft. For the past few seasons, the main weakness has been the offensive unit in Pittsburgh. Once Ben Roethlisberger slowed down and eventually retired, Steeler Nation knew a whole reset on offense was coming where Pittsburgh would need to find its next quarterback. Some thought it would be Kenny Pickett when he was drafted 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. That situation didn't workout and the 2024 offseason was dedicated to finding another quarterback.
JOE SARGENT / GETTY IMAGES
Steelers QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields look on during practice.
In March of 2024, the Steelers brought Russell Wilson and Justin Fields into their quarterback room and a brand new offense run by Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Pittsburgh was creating a different offensive identity with new faces in the mix, but it was known from the start that Head Coach Mike Tomlin intended on starting Wilson. Once Wilson got hurt in training camp with a calf injury, he didn't start until Week 7 against the New York Jets. During those six weeks prior, Fields led the team to a 4-2 record and showcased what he can do on the field and his ability to extend plays. Fields accumulated 1,106 yards in the air and 231 yards on the ground through his six starts. Since Wilson has taken back over, he's gone 6-4.
Roethlisberger spoke about the two quarterbacks during his Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger podcast on Monday. The Steelers' legendary quarterback believes Wilson is going to stay for another year or so, but Fields needs to be in a Pittsburgh jersey the next season as well.
"I don’t think that you want to lose Justin," Roethlisberger said. "So maybe the better plan is to try and offer Russ a one-year 30 [million dollar deal], or whatever it is. I think it’d kill the cap, but just to try and keep Justin around for another year and see what you can get. Let him develop, but I don’t know if Russ would take that either though."
Reports have come out indicating that the Steelers plan on keeping Wilson for at least another year, but he's lately been struggling and if he drastically doesn't do well in Week 18 or the playoffs, something may change. There also comes the age factor. While Wilson is more experienced and is known for his deep ball threat, he did just turn 36 in November. Fields turns 26 in March, so he is much younger and shows that in his ability to get out of the pocket and run.
ESPN Broadcast / MNF
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields smile during Monday Night Football.
Wilson and Fields have seemed to grow a good relationship with each other after Fields went to the backup position after Wilson took over. Fields didn't have a great tenure with the Chicago Bears, but he's shown that with the right coaching staff, he can be a lot better. Fields has never truly had the time to develop under an experienced veteran like Wilson. Roethlisberger likes the move of Fields learning under Wilson so the young quarterback can continue to grow. Fields has already learned quite a bit through the season since Wilson has started and it's interesting to see how he would play next season after developing for a year.
"I’ve always been a fan of letting a guy sit for a year or two," Roethlisberger said. "Like, I think you just get so much experience from sitting behind a good veteran guy. Which is why I think this has helped Justin to sit behind Russ a little bit. Which, I don’t think it’d hurt to do another year, but I just think what you’ve seen from Justin, you can get a guy that can make a lot of splash."
Not much has been revealed about the Steelers' plans to keep Fields. Fields may look at a quarterback like Sam Darnold and want to make an impact like that on a different team. There are multiple NFL teams that need a quarterback and if they don't get one in the draft, some organizations could be looking at Fields.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens makes an incredible touchdown catch against the Washington Commanders in Week 10 of the 2024 season.
Steelers' Future Quarterback Needs Another Weapon
Wilson and Fields have both shown that George Pickens is their number one target, but there hasn't been a true second guy for either quarterback. Wide receivers like Calvin Austin III have stepped up, but there still isn't someone like Pickens who can make opposing defenses plan around him.
Whoever the Steelers end up with at quarterback next season, General Manager Omar Khan and the front office will need to either draft a talented young receiver, trade for, or sign someone in free agency.
Do you want the Steelers to keep Fields for another year? Let us know in the comments below!
#Steelernation
