Steelers' Mike Tomlin Reveals The Truth Behind Decision To Move On From Justin Fields

The Pittsburgh Steelers had Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in town for the 2024 season. Many pundits thought maybe they’d keep one past the 2024 campaign to be their quarterback for the 2025 season and beyond. Fields started the 2024 season by giving Steelers fans hope, leading the team to a 4-2 record in his first six starts. Wilson then took over, and at first, it seemed like a great decision by the Steelers to bench Fields in favor of the veteran. However, the wheels quickly came off, and Pittsburgh suddenly found itself facing a major decision about the future of the quarterback position.

Quickly, it became obvious the Steelers weren’t interested in Wilson, and then the New York Jets gave Fields a great offer he couldn’t refuse, offering him two years and $40 million. The Steelers decided he wasn’t worth that and went all in to sign Aaron Rodgers. Tomlin met with the media on Tuesday to talk about the truth behind letting Fields walk in free agency.

Tomlin explained that the decision was not about Fields’ talent or potential, but rather about the direction of the franchise and the opportunities available in free agency. He made it clear that Pittsburgh valued Fields’ contributions during his short time with the team, but simply couldn’t justify paying him what the Jets were willing to offer. The organization felt that while Fields had shown flashes, he hadn’t proven enough to warrant that level of investment. Instead, the Steelers believed their best path forward was to pursue Rodgers, a proven veteran who still has championship aspirations.

"It's free agency," Tomlin told the Steelers media when asked about why they let Fields out of the building. "It was not only our decision, but his decision. And so, it was mutual. There's a lot of moving parts in free agency. So I wouldn't present it in the manner in which you asked it."

The move was bold, and it signaled just how serious Pittsburgh is about competing immediately in 2025. Signing Rodgers comes with risk, but it also shows Tomlin and the front office are prioritizing a win-now mentality. 

By passing on Fields, the Steelers essentially closed the door on a long-term project and opened the window for an aggressive push at a Super Bowl run. Tomlin’s honesty about the decision highlighted the tough balancing act NFL teams face between building for the future and capitalizing on the present.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Took Less To Help Pittsburgh Win It All In 2025

At first, many Steelers fans weren’t thrilled about the idea of the team pursuing a 41-year-old quarterback. That perception changed quickly once the price tag was revealed. Rodgers could have demanded significantly more on the open market, but instead, he chose to take just $13.65 million for the 2025 season. For the Steelers, the combination of that bargain contract and Tomlin’s belief that Rodgers still has the ability to guide this team on a deep playoff run made the gamble well worth it in their eyes.

Ultimately, the Steelers’ decision to let Fields walk and bring in Rodgers signals a clear commitment to winning now. It’s a bold move that balances risk and reward, pairing a veteran quarterback with a team hungry for playoff success. With Tomlin’s guidance and Rodgers’ experience, Pittsburgh hopes to turn its potential into results, aiming to compete at the highest level while keeping fans energized and confident about the team’s direction.

What did you think about the Steelers not doing more to try to keep Fields in the building for another season? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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