Steelers May Repeat Unique Russell Wilson Veteran Minimum Contract Strategy With Different Quarterback On Verge Of Being Cut

The questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation are endless. It seems like an easy problem to fix with a soon-to-be 26-year-old signal-caller in Justin Fields available to be re-signed. Instead, most of the conversation throughout the offseason to this point has been about Russell Wilson coming back for another year, or more. One of the two is expected to return, but both remain unsigned, so time will tell which direction the front office decides to go. The position has been in flux since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and there is still no clear path forward.

If the Steelers decide to extend Wilson, Fields will likely be lost in free agency and the second and third-string options could be combination of a veteran and someone younger. If the decision is made to bring Fields back, fans can expect an experienced quarterback to be added to the room to not only help mentor Fields, but also be able to step in if the elusive signal-caller struggles in a permanent starting role. 

There is also an odd potential of neither returning, although that is not expected. The second option that has Fields coming back to the Steel City, or the third scenario in which Wilson and Fields both depart, opens up the potential for a repeat of what happened in the 2024 offseason. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was attracted to the idea of a veteran quarterback being signed (Wilson) at a minimum salary. That situation is currently developing for the Atlanta Falcons.

Fans in the Steel City will likely cringe at the idea of Kirk Cousins becoming a Steeler, especially with the team being in the driver's seat when it comes to a young quarterback in Fields. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that Tomlin proved in 2024 that he was incapable of showing faith in the young guy, and sought comfort in starting the veteran. If Wilson isn't re-signed, Cousins could be an option for the Steelers whether Fields returns or not.

The Falcons made the decision to bench Cousins after a woeful 2024 season that was difficult for him after an Achilles tear in 2023. Rookie signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. got the nod, and it's hard to imagine that Cousins will fully accept being a backup for a franchise that gave him less than a year to prove his capabilities. The contract for Cousins essentially makes him incapable of being traded, so he should be released, just as Wilson was in 2024.

This is how the rumors began regarding Pittsburgh and Wilson, which could lead to more of the same in relation to the Steelers and Cousins. A large portion of the fan base's preference is undoubtedly to have Fields work as the starter, but Cousins may accept a backup role elsewhere, just not in Atlanta. With a veteran minimum contract potentially available, the Steelers already showed in 2024 that a situation like Wilson's, and potentially Cousins', is worth taking advantage of.

With the Falcons expected to release Cousins by March 17th, he could be in play for Pittsburgh depending on how negotiations go with Wilson and/or Fields. It would keep the Steelers in the same cycle, but it shouldn't come as surprising if Tomlin envisions it as a low-risk, high-reward scenario. 

Steelers Have To Seriously Wake Up In The 2025 Offseason

The easy decision should be for Pittsburgh to re-sign Fields and give him the reins for a year to see if he is capable of blossoming at the professional level. No one is quite sure which direction the team will go, but re-signing Wilson or bringing in a guy like Cousins to start seems illogical. That doesn't mean, however, that it isn't possible. The organization proved in 2024 that several questionable decisions are still being made internally.

Do you think Cousins could find his way to the Steel City as a starter or backup? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation