The Pittsburgh Steelers are not done building out their quarterback room. It's pretty clear at this point that one, but not both, quarterbacks—Russell Wilson and Justin Fields—will be back in 2025. Whether that’s Fields or Wilson remains to be seen, but the early favorite appears to be Fields. As the younger and more exciting option, he could be the franchise quarterback if he puts it all together in Pittsburgh.
AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields talk while they get warmed up for camp.
The Steelers have also been rumored to be adding more to their quarterback room. While Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Jameis Winston certainly isn’t a starting quarterback, he could be an intriguing option. Bringing in Winston would add leadership and a veteran presence to the room, potentially making him a great mentor for Fields if the Steelers choose him as their starter. However, it’s not likely the Steelers would be overly interested in Winston, given their current direction.
Winston joined Big Cat and PFT Commenter on Pardon My Take on Wednesday, where he was asked about the possibility of playing for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Winston made it very clear that he would love to play for the Steelers in 2025 if given the chance. His enthusiasm for the idea of playing under Tomlin is undeniable, but whether that opportunity will come to fruition is still not very likely.
"Man, I love Pittsburgh you know because I admire Coach Mike Tomlin so much," Winston said. "You know the first Super Bowl ring I ever held in my hand was a 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl ring from Bruce Arians, so that is for sure aligned with my vision, but I don’t know what my Browns fans would say about Pittsburgh. That would be challenging, but it doesn’t matter honestly if that opportunity presents itself, I would love to team up with Coach Mike Tomlin."
Winston is undoubtedly the most popular backup quarterback in the league. Drafted as a highly touted prospect with a cannon for an arm, he’s always had the tools to succeed. However, his career has been marked by inconsistency, including a season where he threw 33 touchdown passes—and a staggering 30 interceptions.
Matt Starkey / Cleveland Browns
Browns' Jameis Winston during a loss to the New Orleans Saints in 2024.
To this day, Winston is the first and only quarterback in NFL history to achieve such a dubious feat. While it's certainly a stat you'd prefer to avoid, it speaks to the rollercoaster nature of his career. He can move the ball down the field with ease but struggles with turnovers, which is why he’s ultimately found himself in a backup role.
Winston's infectious personality has made him a fan favorite, and his charm extends beyond the field. During the 2024 season, he led the Browns to a 24-19 victory over the Steelers in a snowy battle. While Winston didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet with his arm, he made an impact with a key rushing touchdown that helped seal the win. The Browns, seemingly focused on evaluating younger quarterbacks, eventually benched him, signaling that they were no longer interested in his services.
Despite his ups and downs on the field, Winston’s leadership and charisma have earned him a place in the hearts of many fans. Though his future as a starter may be uncertain, there’s no question that he remains one of the most intriguing and popular figures in the NFL today.
Winston is currently a free agent and remains open to all opportunities. It’s not surprising that the Steelers would be high on his list, as many players around the league dream of the chance to play for Tomlin. Winston, however, is clearly just hoping for another shot to contribute to a team.
Steelers Could Sign Jameis Winston To Help Mentor Justin Fields
He could make sense for Pittsburgh if he were willing to sign for the veteran minimum, given his team-first mentality, leadership qualities, and the way he carries himself. Winston would be an excellent mentor and teammate for Fields—or any young quarterback in that room. With Wilson likely on his way out, Fields might benefit from another veteran in the room building him up. Winston sure can inspire confidence in people.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith making a hit on Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston in 2024.
That said, the Steelers' need for a veteran backup is questionable. While Winston's experience and leadership could be valuable, the team may not have much use for another seasoned quarterback unless they want that veteran presence to support a young talent like Fields. With Pittsburgh's primary focus on developing its next franchise quarterback, bringing in Winston could add some experience to the room, but it’s not an urgent necessity.
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