“Fields to Heyward TD!” The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ sideline erupted as Justin Fields, fresh from a concussion check, fired a 16-yard touchdown pass to Connor Heyward. This electrifying moment today left fans buzzing – and scratching their heads. Where was Russell Wilson during Fields’ brief absence?

The answer lies in the NFL’s rulebook and the Steelers’ unexpected quarterback hierarchy. Wilson, the former Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler, watched from the sidelines as backup Kyle Allen briefly stepped in for Fields. Why? Because Wilson is now the Steelers’ third emergency quarterback, a role that keeps him sidelined unless both the starter and backup are unable to play.

This quarterback shuffle unfolded during a crucial matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Fields, scrambling early in the third quarter, took a bone-rattling hit from Cowboys defensive end Tyrus Wheat. Fields attempted to complete a pass to running back Najee Harris. at that point he was blasted down the middle of the pocket, leading to a roughing the passer penalty for 15 yards. The collision was so severe it knocked Fields off his feet, prompting officials to send him to the medical tent for evaluation.

Enter Kyle Allen, not Russell Wilson.

Allen, the designated QB2, took just two snaps before Fields returned, cleared of concussion concerns. The young quarterback then orchestrated a five-pass drive, capped by the touchdown toss to Heyward. This sequence not only extended Pittsburgh’s lead to 10-6 but also cemented Fields’ grip on the starting role. Interestingly, coach Mike Tomlin has not cleared the air about the Steelers’ ultimate QB decision once Wilson is fully healthy. But Fields’ resilience and performance underscore why he’s earned the Steelers’ trust.

Since joining the team, he’s guided Pittsburgh to a promising 3-1 start with victories against the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers. His dual-threat capabilities have been crucial to the Steelers’ run-heavy attack, which ranks fourth in the league with 53.7% of plays called on the ground. Fields has averaged 36 rushing yards per game, a stark contrast to the less mobile Wilson. Pittsburgh is up in rushing yards per game from 117.6 to 128.5.

Once the face of the Seattle Seahawks dynasty, Wilson now finds himself in football purgatory. His relegation to third-string emergency quarterback is a far cry from the days when he led game-winning drives in the Super Bowl.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that for the fifth straight week, Wilson will serve as the emergency quarterback. This consistent decision raises eyebrows and questions about Wilson’s future in the NFL. Is this a strategic move to preserve Wilson’s value as a starting-caliber quarterback, or a sign that his days as a top-tier signal-caller are numbered? The numbers tell a compelling story.

While Fields has thrown just one interception and lost one fumble this season, Wilson matched Fields’ 2023 turnover total (13) in his final year with the Denver Broncos. This ball security has been crucial for Pittsburgh’s conservative offensive approach under new coordinator Arthur Smith.

Fields’ improvement trajectory also works against Wilson’s chances of reclaiming a starting role. From a 91.9 passer rating in Week 1 to a stellar 104 rating in Week 4, Fields is trending upward. His 312-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Indianapolis Colts showcased his ability to blend passing prowess with his running threat.

As the Steelers continue to roll with Fields at the helm, Wilson’s path forward remains murky. At 34, time isn’t on his side. The question now isn’t just whether Wilson can reclaim the QB2 spot in Pittsburgh, but whether he’ll get another shot at starting anywhere in the NFL. But wait. Everything is not probably gloomy for Wilson.

Russell Wilson has his contract as his weapon

Before joining Pittsburgh, Wilson completed a two-year stint with the Broncos, where he threw for 6,594 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. But Wilson signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh in March valued at $1.2 million, which is the veteran minimum contract. It is this very contract that might be a savior for Wilson.

It will not be very difficult for Wilson to get another change of franchise if he and the Steelers should think in that direction. The veteran starter is playing on a super-cheap contract that could make him a lucrative trade chip for quarterback-needy teams. Wilson’s deal with the Steelers made him one of the league’s lowest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL and one of the lowest-paid projected starters.

So, if the Steelers trade Wilson, any NFL team acquiring him would owe him a prorated version of his $1.21 million salary for 2024. This amount will easily fit into almost any NFL team’s available salary cap space. According to OverTheCap.com, the Carolina Panthers are the only NFL team that might not have the salary cap space needed for the trade. So does that mean Wilson’s wallets are as miserable as his time with the team during this season? Wait before you conclude.

Although Wilson’s contract might look small on the face of it, the reality is, that he is earning $39 million for the 2024 NFL season, courtesy, of the Broncos’ $242.5 million contract in 2022. Wilson’s contract had $124 million in guarantees. Denver had paid $85 million of it before the 2024 NFL season but still had to pay Wilson the rest of the guarantees as part of his release. However, the deal also included the offset language.

That meant if Wilson signed a contract with another team, his 2024 salary would be deducted from the amount Denver owed him. That made it possible for Wilson to take the cheapest deal out there because it allowed his new club the flexibility to upgrade the rest of its roster while also bringing the veteran quarterback in. So Wilson took the $1.21 million offer from the Steelers and left the Broncos to provide the $37.79 million left. Given his awkward situation on the Steelers’ roster, this contract looks to be his only silver lining at the moment.