Ex-Steelers QB Allegedly Booed By Frustrated Fans On Christmas Day

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was encouraged by fans to consider keeping one of his 2024 quarterbacks. Tomlin had acquired both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson ahead of that season, and while both quarterbacks showed flashes of competence for the Steelers, it was relatively clear that neither was a long-term solution worth investing heavily in beyond 2024. The team faced a crucial decision about how to manage its quarterback situation, balancing performance with financial responsibility.

It now appears that Tomlin deserves significant credit for the moves he ultimately made. Rather than overpay to retain Wilson or Fields, he chose to part ways with both players, even though the market pressures practically forced the Steelers to consider lucrative offers if they wanted to keep either. Instead, Tomlin pressed hard to land the now 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers. Fields ended up with the New York Jets, while Wilson signed with the New York Giants. For both players, the transition to new teams proved challenging, as neither enjoyed a smooth start in their new homes.

Wilson, in particular, struggled to regain his former status. He eventually lost the starting job in New York, signaling that his days as a star quarterback in the league may be behind him. Recently, Wilson was spotted enjoying a Christmas Day game at Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he appeared on the jumbotron. Allegedly, several fans at the game booed him rather loudly, highlighting the difficulties he has faced since leaving Pittsburgh.

Tomlin took a lot of criticism from Steelers fans who wanted the team to bring back Fields. Many felt he was young enough to have a high ceiling, and if he reached it, it would have been worth the risk to see what he could become. The issue the Steelers faced was financial. Fields was off his rookie deal, and his market value was too high for Tomlin and Pittsburgh to feel comfortable offering a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. After a difficult season for Fields, which ultimately ended in injury, it now appears the Steelers made the right decision in not trying to match the Jets’ offer and letting him walk.

In the case of Wilson, he showed flashes of competence with the Steelers, but the way the 2024 season ended was very telling. There never seemed to be any real interest in bringing Wilson back, even at a great value price. Pittsburgh was fortunate to get him at the veteran minimum in 2024 and had no intention of investing more. As sad as it may be, Wilson is a great human being with a long and impressive NFL career. 

At this stage, however, he has lost some of his mobility and is clearly not the quarterback he once was. Fans in New York are notoriously tough on players who do not deliver wins, which is why Wilson was allegedly booed on Christmas Day.

Steelers Made The Right Move At QB For The 2025 Season

The biggest takeaway is that the Steelers made the right move moving on from both Wilson and Fields. Their pursuit of Rodgers shows that Tomlin may know more than critics give him credit for. 

He likely recognized the value of Rodgers’ pre-snap football IQ and how much that could elevate the offense. That is exactly why Tomlin went out and brought him in, proving that sometimes patience and strategy outweigh short-term fan pressure.

How would you grade Mike Tomlin’s handling of the Steelers’ quarterback situation this offseason, and do you agree with his decisions to let Fields and Wilson walk? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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