Justin Fields? Russell Wilson? Or the-ol-Plan-B? The Steelers front office is certainly pondering these questions as they have some real quick choices to make with just 15 days to go before the free agency hits. On one hand, they have a young QB in Justin Fields. The Ohio State alum tried to make waves in his very debut as he reminded everyone of the Matt Canada-Kenny Pickett era. The eleventh overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft showed off his arm as he made his debut against the Atlanta Falcons a Fields-Pickens show. Not one, not two, but four of his passes were over 10 yards, all to none other than the wide receiver. He also showcased his athleticism making 14 runs for 57 yards total. Although it was just a half a decent performance, him taking charge of the starting position as soon as he was traded from Chicago Bears as Pittsburgh’s usual starting QB in Wilson healed from his injury would also show his features. The 4-year veteran helped his new team win 4-2 in his 6 starts. And then?

The other option bounced back from his injury, pushing Fields back to the bench. The friendly face in Russell Wilson, a 13-year SB champ veteran also came into the Steel City with Fields but was always the “pole position” as head coach Mike Tomlin would put it. The sticky situation here is that Tomlin seems to prefer Wilson although that just might have changed after the five-game losing streak. There are also whispers of the team owner and President Art Rooney II wanting to keep either of the QBs but prefers Wilson at the end of the day as per Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. But the odds are not all on one side of the shore. Apparently, GM Omar Khan, while being open to all options, including an outside choice, just might be inclined to keep Fields in. Because honestly, why not?

Although Wilson bring the veteran experience with him, Fields is ten years younger than him. He is also much athletic. Not to mention, he has created some good rep within the team and the fanbase. And even if his 2024 season with the Steelers was not the best showcase of his abilities, he did show some sparks of greatness which he can work on in 2025. But he has already set some expectations which may or may not get him a good result in his gamble. If you’re wondering what, it is simply a through-and-through chance to start all 17 games. And now whether or not Fields stays with Pittsburgh, the deadline is fast approaching with both the Steelers QB still hanging in the middle as Bob Labriola, the Steelers Insider, also tries to avoid the looming question.

Now, if we consider the Steelers’ president and owner, Art Rooney II’s statement, “I think they’re both capable quarterbacks, and my preference would be to sign one of them,” shared by The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. “That’ll be a priority, and I think that will give us the best opportunity to move forward. Obviously, we’ll be looking in the draft as well. We’ve got a whole quarterback room to fill, and so there’s jobs open in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we look at the draft, as well, either this year or next.” But at the end of the day, no one knows what the Steelers are planning. Are they playing cool or are they about to let him walk out of the door? However, the team’s official, Bob Labriola, has an answer to this, despite a neutral one.

When a fan asked Lab, “Will Justin Fields be returning to the Steelers?” he avoided the question saying, “I think we should have the answer to that question when free agency begins on Wednesday, March 12.” Hmm, let’s rewind to a few days back for a moment.

You see, if reports are to be believed, Justin Fields is open to returning to the Steelers, there’s no denying that. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes that Fields will return to the Steel City on one condition. Go ahead, take a wild (but obvious) guess. “This one’s complicated because I do know there’s some sentiment in the building for bringing back Justin Fields. Both sides, Fields and the Steelers, are certainly open to a potential reunion. Fields wants a realistic shot to start. He wants a clear path to be the guy for a full season, which he was not last year,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. Translation? No more benching, 17 starts in the regular season (if lucky enough, then the postseason as well).

The guy gave an insane start to the team in the absence of Russell Wilson. And despite going 4-2 in his first six starts, the QB was neglected because, you know, the team had a veteran. Still, with his short-termed success with the team as a starter and his good attitude after Russell’s return have given fans a reason for keeping him in the Steel City. In fact, NFL Insider Albert Breer said on the MMQB NFL Podcast that, “I personally think there’s a good chance Justin winds up back in Pittsburgh. He’s got good relationships. I think there’s a lot of good logic to the idea of Fields going back to Pittsburgh in some capacity.” Breer also went ahead to say, “He’s got his faults as a player; he’s a Steeler though. He was a Steeler before he became one. Just in his mentality, the way he carries himself, who he is. And I know they’d like to keep working with him.”

However, as fresh as just a day ago, the team GM Omar Khan sat down with The Insiders but did not give any update on the Steelers’ next move. He told Judy Battista, “I’ve gotten that question a lot this week so far, obviously, I’ll say this, you know, we went into last year to understand all three of our quarterbacks going into last year of their deals and here we are this year. It was a good experience with all three of those guys.

“In a ideal world, we’d like to have a combination of the three guys back on our roster but as we stand here, no one is signed. So all options are on the table. Had conversations with Russ’ group and Justin’s group and they’ve been positive and I truly believe that both of them would like to be here. The conversations continue, we’ll see where it goes.”

Top Comment by ggipson257

they definitely should signed Justin fields started he can prove himself Russell Wilson had his chance and blew it plus...more

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Debate

Now, the million-dollar (or, well, multi-million-dollar) question is: Will Pittsburgh bring him back in 2025? Although out of the gates, Fields has done little to suggest he’s closer to securing the team’s starting job, he did do some decent work. He completed 65.8% of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He added another 289 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. All things considered, if he works on his skills before the season starts, he will be one good catch. Interestingly, if the Steelers do not agree to his one condition to return, there are plenty of fishes in the sea for the former Buckeyes. One of them is the Tennessee Titans. However, they do hold the top pick in the upcoming NFL Drafts and with their cap space, they are not afraid to use some money.

Another interested party in Fields would be the New York Jets. They have liked what they’ve seen so far from the Georgia-born. Justin has a dual-threat ability and with the vision of improved footwork, Jets just might want him in the Big Apple. In fact, ESPN’s Fowler suggested, “They could have some interest. They like the idea of a dual-threat quarterback. He’s younger. I’m told Fields has looked at that roster, sees some intrigue there, too. They have some good young pieces, like Garrett Wilson and a good defense.” 

To add to this, some sources have even placed Justin to have the highest odds of starting for the Jets next season over any other QB in the NFL. As for Pittsburgh, the team will likely consider both options, but they’re probably gonna favor Justin Fields—unless they’ve an outside option in mind. But what about Russell Wilson?

Russell Wilson’s future looks bright—fans, not so much

Steelers Nation has waited for over a month to find out the Steelers’ QB1 for the 2025 season. Bet they can wait a couple of weeks more. But brace yourselves, you might expect a Great Gatsby Moment—where everyone’s rooting for Fields to make a comeback, but reality is set on moving with Russell Wilson. No, not a typo.

Recently, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette chose Russell Wilson as the Steelers’ QB1 in 2025 when asked about the same. And guess what? Beat reporter Mark Kaboly agrees with Mackey’s statement. To his response, Kaboly stated, “I think, I agree with him. I think, I agree with him, I think Justin’s gonna find more money, more opportunity, a better place somewhere.”

Uh-oh! That’s not what the fans were expecting. Sure, Kaboly reportedly changed his opinion and believed that Fields is more likely to return to the Steelers. However, with Rooney probably siding with Wilson, Kaboly believes that Fields may get a better opportunity outside of Pittsburgh.

And if the Steelers didn’t offer him an extension before the new league year, the guy will be an unrestricted free agent. That means the Pittsburgh team won’t franchise tag him. Voilà. That gives Fields an option to explore the market and find a perfect roster to lead in 2025. But one thing’s clear: that’s not gonna solve the Steelers’ QB issues.

I mean, if the team signs Wilson over Fields, it’s likely the guy’s gonna play a couple of seasons more. There you go. Back to ground zero. And at this point, the team can’t afford to start looking for another QB every year. At the end of the day, Justin Fields is the perfect option for the Steelers. And as Bob says, we will get an answer on when free agency begins on Wednesday, March 12.