The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed a brand new quarterback room for the 2024 season, including Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen. All three quarterbacks saw action, but the focus was primarily on Wilson and Fields. Wilson, who had been brought in to stabilize the offense, suffered an injury that sidelined him for six games. In his absence, Fields stepped up, leading the Steelers to a 4-2 record, sparking hope among fans and teammates. However, in a surprising move, Mike Tomlin decided to bench Fields in favor of a healthy Wilson as the team approached the stretch run.
ESPN Broadcast / MNF
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields smile during Monday Night Football.
Initially, the decision to go with Wilson seemed like a stroke of genius. The team was primed for a postseason push, and Tomlin’s confidence in Wilson appeared to pay off. Yet, as the season unfolded, the Steelers hit a rough patch, losing five straight games to close out the season. The struggles were apparent, with the offense failing to click under Wilson's leadership. The decision to bench Fields, who had brought energy and success to the team, became the subject of intense scrutiny as the losses piled up.
Following a crushing 28-14 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs, Tomlin was forced to address the consequences of his decision. He knew the media would have hard questions for him, especially regarding the future of the quarterback position. When asked about the team's next steps at quarterback, Tomlin didn’t shy away from giving a candid answer. His honesty revealed the complexities of the situation and the difficult choices he faces in balancing team dynamics, health, and future success.
"You know, obviously, we don’t have a quarterback under contract and so we got some major discussions there," Tomlin told the media. "It was a really good experience with the three quarterbacks that were on our roster this year individually and collectively."
Tomlin is open to all options when it comes to selecting his starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin speak to the media.
He offered insight into the discussions he and General Manager Omar Khan are about to have as they begin planning for the future of the quarterback position.
"I am certainly open to considering those guys, but there’s a lot of work ahead of us," Tomlin said. "The major work obviously starts first and foremost with just understanding what our options are. What the field looks like in terms of free agency and what the draft pool looks like. Then beginning the process in terms of decision making based on known variables. Omar and I got half a day carved out here this week just to begin that competent of that discussion."
The upcoming draft class doesn’t appear to offer much quarterback talent, especially considering where the Steelers will be picking. While there’s a possibility they could target a quarterback, Tomlin made it clear that he and Khan are also open to exploring free agency once again, evaluating which quarterbacks could be available from outside the organization.
Steelers Are In A Weird Spot At Quarterback
In 2024, the Steelers had the luxury of having both Fields and Wilson at very affordable prices, but that won't be the case in 2025. This presents a significant decision for the team moving forward. Steeler Nation is eagerly awaiting the resolution, with fans holding a variety of opinions on what should happen at the quarterback position.
AP
Steelers' Russell Wilson talks to Justin Fields during a game.
All eyes will be on the organization as they face tough choices regarding the future of the most important position in football. The decisions made will shape the team's trajectory for years to come.
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