The Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to have two legitimate options for their starting quarterback spot for the 2025 season. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were brought to Pittsburgh ahead of the 2024 season on bargain deals. Fields started the first six games, but when Wilson returned from a calf injury, he finished the season as the starter. Fields handled the benching like a professional, but it feels like he didn’t take a liking to that decision from Mike Tomlin.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin smiles with QB Justin Fields after he won the home run derby.
The Steelers seemed to be in on Fields for the 2025 season, but he ultimately decided to leave when he received a better offer from the New York Jets. It was clear that the Steelers had faith in his potential, but Fields’ situation in Pittsburgh appeared to be a bit more complicated after the season. With his departure, the Steelers were forced to rethink their quarterback options, possibly shifting their focus to other candidates or adjusting their plans altogether.
Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined The Pomp And Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan on Friday, where he shared some interesting information about Fields leaving for the Jets. Fittipaldo suggested that the decision came down to the Jets offering a more secure role for Fields, which was something the Steelers couldn’t guarantee him in 2025. This insight added another layer to the quarterback drama that has been unfolding in Pittsburgh, leaving fans wondering what the future holds for the position.
"What we know at this point, is I do think the Steelers were caught off guard by Justin Fields leaving to the Jets," Fittipaldo said. "It would have been super simple. That was the first guy that they wanted."
Fittipaldo shared something rather interesting about the Steelers being taken aback by the fact that Fields actually left them. It was reported that Tomlin likely expected to secure Fields on a discount, given his situation with the team. For Fields, his first six games in Pittsburgh were the best he had shown as a quarterback in the league, primarily because he protected the football and still managed to flash moments of brilliance. The Steelers saw potential in him but weren’t willing to meet his demands.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields celebrates a key first down in a snowy weather game against the Cleveland Browns.
However, Pittsburgh wasn’t willing to go as far as the Jets were in their offer to Fields, and that’s ultimately why he chose to leave. The situation came as a shock to the Steelers, who probably felt that Fields would be their top option for the 2025 season. Instead, he opted for more guaranteed money and the assurance that he would be the starting quarterback. That, apparently, was something the Steelers weren’t willing to provide him.
The Steelers’ inability to guarantee Fields the starting role and secure his future in Pittsburgh ultimately led to his departure. While the team had shown confidence in him, they failed to offer the kind of stability that Fields was looking for, which paved the way for the Jets to make their move. This surprising turn of events left the Steelers reevaluating their quarterback strategy for the 2025 season.
Steelers Losing Justin Fields Has Created Massive Uncertainty
The Steelers’ first option was Fields, and his departure has created chaos within the organization. As soon as they realized the market for Fields was going to be much higher than they were willing to go, Pittsburgh began considering other quarterback options. Fields’ midseason benching in 2024 actually worked in his favor, as it highlighted his first six starts, which were solid, productive, and, most importantly, demonstrated his ability to protect the football. These performances, especially his flashes of brilliance, kept him fresh in the minds of teams in need of a quarterback, like the Jets.
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Aaron Rodgers shows frustration during the 2024 season with the New York Jets.
These highlight-reel moments gave the Jets and others the confidence to pursue Fields, knowing he still had untapped potential. Now, with the Steelers seemingly all in on Aaron Rodgers, they face the possibility of missing out on him and being left without a solid quarterback option for 2025. The surprise of Fields leaving has exposed the Steelers’ lack of a backup plan, leaving the team scrambling to reassess their quarterback situation and causing massive uncertainty in the Steel City.
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