Steelers Are Going To Seriously Benefit From AFC Rival's Questionable 2025 Draft Approach

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have no clue who will be under center for the organization when the 2025 regular season kicks off. As Organized Team Activities (OTAs) inch closer, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Skylar Thompson hold roster spots. The franchise remains locked in a standstill with veteran Aaron Rodgers, as no one knows exactly when he will make a decision on his future. There also could be other options on the table, but there is no clear direction for the future when it comes to the position. The team seemed to be certain that neither Justin Fields nor Russell Wilson could get the job done.

It became increasingly more obvious that the Steelers wanted nothing to do with Wilson, but Fields seemed to be a potential long-term solution. He led Pittsburgh to a record of 4-2 in 2024 before being slotted as the backup once Wilson returned from a calf injury. At the end of the day, the organization's leadership did not want to offer him the two-year, $40 million contract he received from the New York Jets.

The Steelers traded a sixth-round selection for Fields back in 2024, and that ended up being returned in a pick swap with the Seattle Seahawks as a part of the DK Metcalf trade. Not only did Pittsburgh essentially get Fields for free, but now a compensatory pick is in play for 2026 because of the big contract he signed with the Jets. That has to do with playing time, as noted by cap guru Nick Korte.

This is why the recent decisions made by new Jets General Manager Darren Mougey could have such a big impact on the Steelers. Fields' backup in New York is Tyrod Taylor, a veteran who is 35 years old. Things would have to go extremely poorly for Fields to get benched. Additionally, Mougey and co. did not draft a quarterback. That sent a message that Fields is going to be the guy for all of 2025, barring any sort of injury.

The Steelers will have an opportunity to get a plethora of compensatory picks in 2026, which could open the window for a big trade-up in the first round if selecting a top-tier quarterback is the goal. Not only could Fields' comp pick skyrocket to a third-rounder, but Dan Moore Jr., Wilson and James Daniels could all help Pittsburgh out a year from now.

Moore is already expected to get the Steelers a third, while Fields could earn the organization another one as well. The Jets passing on any kind of competition in the draft signals that Fields is expected to play the entirety of his first season with the franchise. It appears as if his play would have to be extraordinarily bad to sit him on the bench, especially because he is on the books for $20 million per season.

Steelers Could Use As Much Draft Capital As Possible In 2026

In recent years, Pittsburgh is known for not finishing seasons below .500. If that trend continues, it's going to be hard to land one of the best quarterbacks in the 2026 class. Nearly a handful of compensatory picks, however, could be used in a potential trade-up if the franchise sees a prospect that it loves. Fields could contribute to that with strong play in 2025, as the Jets' decision to pass on selecting a signal-caller could end up getting the Steelers another third-rounder in 2026.

Do you think that Fields will find success in a Jets uniform? Let us know in the comments below!

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