Interesting Trend Shows Steelers Fans Should Not Be Optimistic About Justin Fields Being Back In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been keeping fans on their toes ever since the season ended in the Wild Card round of the 2024 NFL playoffs. Throughout the campaign, it was known that quarterback would be a huge question mark during the 2025 offseason, and now March has just begun and the Steelers still do not have a starting quarterback signed. It doesn't seem like there is much of a debate between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields anymore, as Fields seems to be the ideal candidate the organization wants to move forward with. However, a deal has still not been struck between the two sides.

Flashback to a year ago during the 2024 offseason, and it seemed like either Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph would be the starting quarterback. Obviously that didn't happen, but it shows that the organization can be working on things that aren't always being said or publicized. Although the organization has come out and said it would like to keep Fields or Wilson moving forward, there is a good chance that doesn't happen at all. It wouldn't be the first time General Manager Omar Khan misinformed fans and pundits about plans with specific players. 

Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic has also noticed a trend of the Steelers hiding their true intentions when speaking to the media, which played a factor in him predicting that the top two quarterbacks on Pittsburgh's roster in 2025 would be Daniel Jones and Tyler Shough.

"There is a lot of noise about the Steelers preferring to keep either Fields or Wilson, but that was also the noise about Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett last year and that didn’t exactly come to fruition," Rosenblatt wrote. "I think Fields will ultimately choose between the Jets and Steelers, and keep in mind that Pittsburgh benched him last season, even though he was playing relatively well. If Pittsburgh brings him back while committing to him as a starter, though, that could give them the edge."

It seemed like the Steelers were set to move forward with Pickett and/or Rudolph during the 2024 season, but that quickly changed after the organization let Rudolph walk and signed Wilson at the start of free agency. Pickett was traded shortly after, which led to Pittsburgh acquiring Fields. No one blames Khan or anyone in the organization for misleading to the media, it is a part of their jobs. However, it is an important message for the fan base to not get its hopes up in regards to Fields being the starter in 2025.

Fields is going to have significant interest from a couple of organizations if the quarterback makes it to free agency, which opens up on March 12th. The New York Jets are expected to have the most interest in the quarterback, while teams like the Las Vegas Raiders or Indianapolis Colts could also throw their hats in the ring.

New York would obviously be an attractive destination for the quarterback. A huge market, and he would also be able to reunite with one of his favorite wide receivers from his time at Ohio State, Garrett Wilson. This is why it is crucial that the Steelers get a deal done with Fields before he has the chance to test his market.

Steelers Signing Daniel Jones Could Pick Up Steam If Organization Misses Out On Justin Fields

There is a real possibility that Fields chooses to go elsewhere in free agency. This can just be because of money, or it can be because of a better opportunity. If that does happen, Jones might have a realistic shot of landing in Pittsburgh. 

His athleticism is intriguing, and Pittsburgh would be the best roster he has ever been a part of. However, he has proven time and time again that he cannot be a starter in the NFL, and it would be very disappointing if the Steelers were alright with opening the 2025 season with him behind center.

What do you think will happen at quarterback? Let us know in the comments below!

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