Steelers' Alleged Quarterback Plans For 2025 Take A Wild New Turn With Sam Darnold

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves facing a pivotal decision at the quarterback position—one that could shape the franchise for years to come. For several seasons now, many have argued that the team has struggled to get it right. In 2024, the Steelers took an aggressive approach by bringing in both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, hoping to revitalize their offense. Now, with both quarterbacks set to become free agents, Pittsburgh is at a crossroads. They must determine whether to extend Wilson, commit to Fields, or chart an entirely new course.

At this moment, Fields appears to be the frontrunner to receive a new contract. However, he holds all the leverage, meaning his return is far from guaranteed. That said, all signs indicate that Fields has a strong affinity for Pittsburgh. He’s comfortable in Arthur Smith’s offensive system, has built chemistry with his teammates, and seems to genuinely enjoy playing in the Steel City. Those factors certainly strengthen the Steelers’ case to retain him.

Steelers fans, as well as football fans in general, are eagerly awaiting clarity on the team’s long-term quarterback plans. On Friday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show, NFL insider Daniel Jeremiah shared fresh insight into the two frontrunners for the Steelers’ starting job in 2025—and his take was more than a little surprising.

"Yeah, I think the quarterback carrousel is fascinating," Jeremiah said. "Let’s start with Pittsburgh first, Pat. I just feel like the Pittsburgh Steelers, when we get to Monday when this whole thing kicks off, they have to have either Justin Fields or Sam Darnold in the fold. To me, those are the two guys that make the most sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, whatever way they go, we will have to wait and see."

The fact that Sam Darnold’s name is being mentioned isn’t all that surprising. What stands out is that Jeremiah now believes the Steelers’ options have been narrowed down to just two quarterbacks—Fields and Darnold—completely leaving Wilson out of the equation. 

That’s a strong indication of where Pittsburgh and Wilson currently stand in their negotiations. If Wilson was truly in the mix, it’s unlikely he would have been excluded from the conversation entirely.

Of course, the free agency market is always complex and unpredictable. While the situation could shift at any moment, all signs point to Fields being the heavy favorite to land a new deal with the Steelers. His fit in Smith’s system, his comfort in Pittsburgh, and his potential upside make him the most logical choice moving forward. However, if things don’t work out with Fields, it appears the Steelers view Darnold as their backup plan rather than Wilson.

Steelers Seriously Seem Out On Russell Wilson Now

At this point, Wilson seems to be the last resort—an option only if both Fields and Darnold fall through. That’s a dramatic shift from when the Steelers initially acquired him, hoping he could rejuvenate his career in Pittsburgh. While nothing is set in stone, Jeremiah’s comments suggest that Wilson’s time in black and gold could be coming to an end sooner than expected.

Darnold is certainly an intriguing option. He had a strong 2024 season but struggled in critical moments down the stretch, which may have significantly hurt his market value. Currently, his projected market value sits at $40.1 million—a hefty price tag that raises questions about whether he’ll actually command that amount in free agency. Many would be hesitant to invest that kind of money in Darnold, especially when Fields is available at a lower cost and offers greater upside.

#SteelerNation