NFL Executive Detailed Steelers Could Release Russell Wilson After Training Camp If He Performs Badly

The Pittsburgh Steelers had seen enough. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan spent 2022 and 2023 watching Matt Canada, and the trio of quarterbacks who attempted to replace Ben Roethlisberger, mostly fail at the job. The Steelers' offensive strategy seemed to be the blind leading the unconcerned. Mitch Trubisky was not very good and gave way to Kenny Pickett. Pickett produced late-game magic in 2022 and 2023, but the first three quarters progressively worsened with each passing game.

Mason Rudolph was the most competent quarterback of the bunch and salvaged a playoff berth, followed closely by another double-digit playoff loss. Tomlin promised change at his season-ending press conference. Khan delivered it, and he promptly cut Trubisky. There were overtures that he would like to keep Rudolph, but they watched him sign a very team-friendly deal for the chance to back up Will Levis for the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers signed Russell Wilson and traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Fans were dizzy from the spinning quarterback carousel, but Khan kept the ride going just a little longer. He pulled off a trade with the Chicago Bears for another former first-round draft pick, Justin Fields. The final piece of the Pittsburgh quarterback puzzle has the league buzzing. Adam Schefter from ESPN reported on NFL Live that the Steelers, despite indications that Fields was told he was clearly the backup, that the minimal organizational investment allows them unprecedented flexibility. 

"Russell Wilson is the starter going into training camp, and Justin Fields is the backup," Schefter said. "Think about the investment that they have in each player. They essentially are giving Russell Wilson $1.2 million, while the Denver Broncos are paying him almost $38 million this year. Very little investment. They gave up a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick for Justin Fields. Very little investment."

The circumstances of Wilson's contract with the Denver Broncos and his subsequent release touched off one of the most bizarre situations in NFL history. The Broncos were obligated to pay Wilson nearly $40 million, despite releasing him after the 2023 season. The Steelers were able to pay him the veteran minimum of $1.2 million and force another AFC team to absorb the remainder of his contract. 

The Steelers were thought to be out on the Fields sweepstakes after the Wilson signing. The price kept dropping, and the Khan Artist came calling. After fleecing the Bears in 2023 by trading Chase Claypool for what turned out to be Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers general manager liberated Fields with what amounts to a fourth-round draft pick if he wins the job. A possibility that Schefter said was not only possible, but might even bring the Wilson era in Pittsburgh to a swift conclusion, according to his sources. 

"They can appoint Russell Wilson the starter, they can say Fields is the backup," Schefter continued. "The fact of the matter is they have the luxury of letting this play out during camp and doing whatever is best for that football team. There is no commitment, obligation, loyalty to anyone of these guys. They didn't pay very much for either one of them. I even had an executive say if Justin Fields outplayed him during training camp, they could see them moving on from him before the season."

According to Trubisky, Pickett, and Rudolph, the Steelers made many promises during their tenure as the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh. The NFL is a business, and no matter what was said to Wilson, he has to prove he is the better option in 2024 during training camp. If it is a close competition, Wilson's ability to protect the ball might give him a slight edge over Fields at the beginning of the season. 

Steelers' Sky High Expectation For 2024 Could Lead To Mike Tomlin Juggling Talented Quarterback Options

Wilson will have to do more than protect the football based on the now sky-high fan base expectations to keep the job. He will have to win games and look good doing it to appease the inevitable clamoring for Fields. The most popular player in Pittsburgh is usually the backup quarterback, and whoever is the starter will find that out shortly after the first game they do not play up to expectations.

Fields' tremendous physical gifts and association with the Ohio State Buckeyes will have a large portion of the fan base ready to jettison Wilson at the first sign of trouble. It isn't quite the same as the loyal Pitt Panthers fan base that is still defending Pickett on social media, but is not an insignificant number of fans. Tomlin has had two years of practice managing quarterback controversies. At least now, he will be juggling much more talented options. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Will there be a quarterback controversy at the first sign of adversity? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.

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