Steelers Owner Breaks Silence on Losing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields As Mike Tomlin Confirms QB Plans

Back in January, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II had laid out his plans in the off-season after finishing the 2024 with five straight losses and a first round exit in the playoffs. The topmost priority for sure was fixing the quarterback position. As Rooney II had mentioned, the franchise was set to sign either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, and probably not both of them. “I wouldn’t close the door, but I’d say it’s probably unlikely [keeping both Wilson and Fields]…They’re both capable quarterbacks, and my preference would be to sign one of them. So that’ll be the priority, and I think that will give us the best opportunity to move forward.” Rooney had said.

Two months down the line, and that “priority” is still up in the air, with the Steelers standing as one of the teams without a set QB1. The misery started when Matthew Stafford, who Steelers were reportedly interested in, slipped off around a month back after his restructured contract with the Rams. Next in their schemes was Fields who decided to enter the free agency to test his worth. And on the very first day, he landed a deal with the New York Jets who reportedly offered him a two-year, $40 million deal (including $30 million guaranteed). Amid this, they also lost their chance to rope in Sam Darnold, losing him to the Seattle Seahawks. Now, here comes a surprising twist.

The Steelers seemed to be genuinely interested in Russell Wilson. In fact, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly even claimed that Ronney II preferred Wilson over Fields. But in practice, despite Wilson’s visit to the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, there was no significant effort from the Steelers to land him. Rather it was Aaron Rodgers who claimed their fair share of attention. Consequence followed, and Wilson is now a Giant with a one-year deal. Making things even more tricky, Rodgers who visited the Steelers camp on March 21, has yet make a decision. Rooney II understands how different the situation looks from what he had said back in January and he accepted that lately.

Steelers owner Art Rooney II dropped this truth bomb at the NFL owners’ meetings, sounding like a man who just watched his fantasy team implode. “I know what we said regarding Russell and Justin… but it didn’t pan out. Such is life in our game.” But here’s the kicker—Rooney ain’t sweating. “We’re optimistic about the room we’re constructing,” he smirked. But in a post-Russell Wilson/Justin Fields world, the Steelers’ 2025 QB room (Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson) has less star power than a cloudy night in the Steel City.

Let’s crunch the numbers that broke Pittsburgh’s heart: Wilson’s 2024 line (2,482 PYDs, 16 TDs) was solid, but Fields’ legs (289 RYDs, 5 TDs) offered ‘Madden on Rookie mode’ vibes. Yet neither could outrun Pittsburgh’s curse—a 10-7 season capped by a playoff loss to Baltimore that had fans chucking Terrible Towels like confetti at a funeral.

Here’s the beauty: Pittsburgh‘s never about the shiny toy. It’s about sweat-stained jerseys and the “Here We Go” chant echoing through the Allegheny. Remember 2004? A rookie Ben Roethlisberger stepped in for Tommy Maddox and sparked a dynasty. Or 2021, when a broken-down Cam Newton handed the keys to Mac Jones. This isn’t panic—it’s the gritty truth. Now, with Wilson and Fields both bound for New York, Mike Tomlin is playing 4D chess with… checks notes… Aaron Rodgers’ retirement tour?

Top Comment by Dhansonrrt

Mike Tomlin is the problem, it’s been time for a new thinking HC for a few years now

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Tomlin’s QB hunt: From college crawls to A-Rod’s ambiguity

“We’re still evaluating the acquisition of a gyu at that position, whether is is free agency and/or the draft,” Tomlin declared. Last week, he and GM Omar Khan hit Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Texas—scouting QBs. But let’s be real: Pittsburgh’s QB strategy appears to be pure vibes rather than any sort of long-term plans.

They traded for DK Metcalf (1,000+ yards in ‘24), creating a WR duo with George Pickens that’s scarier than a Yinzer with a grudge. “The strength of the pack is the pack,” Tomlin grinned, dropping a Lion King quote with all the subtlety of a Polamalu helmetless tackle.

Meanwhile, Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh has yet to bear any fruits apart from apparent optimism. “It was positive,” Khan said. “I thought it was important for us to get to know him and for him to get to know us. I’m glad we were a part of it.” Tomlin, on the other hand said “No deadline.” Still, when asked about when Rodgers might take a call, Tomlin kind of sidestepped saying, “We’ve had some discussions. But I’ll leave them between he and I.”

Amid all this, let’s not forget Rudolph—back after a Titans detour—ready to prove he’s more than a meme. “Two is a pattern,” Tomlin mused about their quarterback carousel. Translation: Third time’s the charm… or we riot.

Mike Tomlin knows it. Art Rooney knows it. And Metcalf, flexing in black-and-gold, sure as hell knows it. Whether it’s drafting Texas’ Quinn Ewers or convincing Rodgers to delay his Jeopardy! gig, the Steelers’ culture—forged in 70s Steel Curtain swagger—isn’t chasing quarterbacks. It’s chasing legacy. Or as Tomlin would say: ‘The challenge is the journey.’

So steel your nerves, Pittsburgh. The 2025 season isn’t just a reboot—it’s a reckoning. And if history’s any guide, the Steelers’ next QB hero isn’t on a billboard… he’s in the grind. “We’ll build it right,” Rooney vows. In a town that bleeds football, that’s more than a promise—it’s a prophecy.