The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially addressed their most pressing need at the quarterback position by signing seasoned veteran Aaron Rodgers. After months of speculation and uncertainty following a controversial overhaul of the team’s QB room, the absence of a clear starter left fans, analysts, and insiders constantly debating the team’s direction. The void at the position had been a hot topic throughout the offseason, with numerous voices chiming in on potential solutions. Now that Rodgers has officially signed, the conversation hasn’t quieted down, in fact, it’s only intensified, as new details continue to emerge surrounding the situation.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers puts on his cap during an away game while with the Jets.
For most of the fan base, Rodgers wasn’t the top option at quarterback, and it appears that feeling was shared within the Steelers' coaching staff and locker room as well. Recently, Reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala joined 93.7 The Fan to talk about the Steelers and their quarterback situation. Like many within the organization, Rodgers wasn’t her top pick either. Instead, Kinkhabwala aligned with the locker room and coaching staff in favor of Justin Fields as the ideal choice.
"The only stat that matters is that coaching staff and that locker room wanted to go back to Justin Fields," Kinkhabwala said.
Fields was acquired by the Steelers through a trade with the Chicago Bears, a move that generated plenty of talk. The situation in Chicago was not great, making it clear that a fresh start was needed for both the team and the young quarterback. Capitalizing on the opportunity, the Steelers managed to secure Fields in exchange for a late-round draft pick, a low-risk investment considering his potential upside.
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Quarterback Justin Fields during his time with the Chicago Bears.
Adding to the value of the deal, Fields was still playing under his rookie contract, giving the Steelers a talented and dynamic option at quarterback without a significant financial commitment. Fields had developed a strong fan base during his time in Chicago, and that popularity quickly carried over to Pittsburgh, where supporters eagerly embraced him as a potential long-term quarterback.
In addition to acquiring Fields, the Steelers also signed veteran quarterback and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson, securing him on a short-term, team-friendly deal that made financial sense. From the moment Wilson arrived in Pittsburgh, it was evident that he was being brought in to lead the offense as the starting quarterback.
However, plans took an unexpected turn when Wilson suffered a calf injury just prior to training camp kicking off, sidelining him for the first six weeks of the 2024 campaign. The injury temporarily delayed his debut and forced the Steelers to adjust their quarterback plans early in the season.
This unexpected turn of events gave Fields an opportunity to prove himself on the field. He made the most of it, leading the Steelers to an impressive 4-2 start and quickly winning over a large portion of the fan base with his dynamic play style. However, his time as the starter was short-lived. As soon as Wilson was cleared to return from injury, Fields was promptly benched, despite his early success.
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Former Steelers QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a game in 2024.
Reports have surfaced indicating that the Steelers were interested in re-signing Fields before he ultimately chose to join the New York Jets. As a free agent, Fields had the freedom to make his own decision, and while the exact reasons behind his departure remain unclear, many have speculated that his treatment in Pittsburgh played a role, and suggesting he was never given a fair shot to secure the job long-term. Considering how the Steelers’ season unfolded, it’s not hard to understand why things may have felt more cohesive in the locker room when Fields was leading the offense. This aligns with the comment by Kinkhabwala, that both the coaching staff and locker room wanted to go back to Fields near the end of the season.
Steelers Face-Off Against Fields In Week 1
The fan base remains divided over whether Rodgers or Fields would have been the better fit as the Steelers’ starting quarterback. If Fields had been named starter again, things may be different, but, fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to see the two go head-to-head, as the Steelers are set to face the Jets in Week 1 of the upcoming season. This won’t be the first time Rodgers and Fields have faced off as opposing quarterbacks, both were once divisional rivals in the fiercely competitive NFC North. Their past matchups brought plenty of suspense, and with both now leading new teams, it promises to be an exciting showdown once again.
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