Steelers' Important Decision Makers View Justin Fields As The "Quarterback Of The Future"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have completely revamped the most important position on a football team, quarterback. Both Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky found new homes via free agency, and Kenny Pickett was shockingly dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles. Pittsburgh acted quickly in acquiring new arm talent, signing Russell Wilson to a one-year deal shortly before the start of free agency and trading for Justin Fields to fill out the quarterback room. 

Many fans were debating whether the Steelers should get Wilson or Fields to upgrade the quarterback position, but General Manager Omar Khan went out and got both. Wilson is the presumptive starter for the 2024 season, with Fields backing him up and learning from the experienced veteran. A lot of fans want to see a quarterback competition between Wilson and Fields in training camp, and some of have said the leash for Wilson will be short during the season. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently reported that the Steelers front office views Fields as the potential quarterback of the future for the organization, not Wilson.

"Fields is being viewed as a potential quarterback for the future with the Steelers, even though he was 10-28 as a starter in three seasons with the Bears. It is not their intention to bring him in merely as a backup for one season."

Fields was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Things didn't pan out for him in Chicago, with his head coach being fired after his rookie season and his team actively tanking in his second year. Fields has shown promise throughout his career in the NFL, but has struggled to remain consistent and has had a turnover problem as he has fumbled 38 times, along with 30 interceptions over his first three seasons as a pro. 

The upside is undeniable when it comes to Fields. He is a proficient rusher at the quarterback position, which the Steelers haven't had since Kordell Stewart donned the black and gold. Fields has rushed for 14 touchdowns and 2,200 yards, with his longest run going for 67 yards during the 2022 season. 

The Bears offense has struggled overall since 2022 when the team hired Luke Getsy to be the offensive coordinator, who was often enjoying the comfort in the shadows of Matt Canada as the worst play-caller in the league. Fields now comes to Pittsburgh to play in Arthur Smith's offense, which has known to be quarterback-friendly. During Smith's time with the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020, Ryan Tannehill threw for 55 touchdowns and over 6,500 yards in just 26 starts. 

The starting job may have already been given to Wilson, but he will have Fields on his heels, especially if Wilson's play begins to falter. The Steelers don't have much invested in Wilson, as he is on just one-year deal worth $1.2 million. He has expressed his desire to be in Pittsburgh for the long-term, but if the play of Wilson and Fields is on the same level, it would be hard to argue that Wilson should be in Pittsburgh past 2024 as he prepares to enter his 13th season.

Steelers Have A Decision To Make When It Comes To Justin Fields' Contract

Fields will be in the last year of his rookie contract in 2024, and the Steelers need to decide whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option before May 2nd. If the option is picked up, which is unlikely, Fields will hit the cap for just over $25 million in 2025. The more realistic option is that Pittsburgh gives Fields a multi-year extension instead of picking up his option. This way, Pittsburgh has more time to evaluate Fields, and they could even give him a year or two as the sure-fire starter before deciding on him long-term. 

Do you want Fields to be the Steelers franchise quarterback? Will he start at all in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!

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