The Pittsburgh Steelers made significant changes this offseason, particularly in their quarterback room. It began with the decision to sign former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. Following that, they traded for another quarterback, Justin Fields. As the 2024 season approaches, the Steelers now have two capable starting quarterbacks.
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Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson (left) and Justin Fields (right) meet on the field following a professional football matchup at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL with their prior, respective teams.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin clarified the situation when Pittsburgh traded for Fields, stating that Wilson will be the starting quarterback. Fields will have an opportunity to compete, but it appears to be Wilson's job to lose. At 35 years old, Wilson joins the Steelers after two disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos, where he struggled despite high expectations and a lucrative contract. Fields also faces serious questions about his potential.
After the 2024 season, Pittsburgh will have more difficult decisions to make regarding the quarterback position. Their choice will depend on Wilson's performance during the season. Reports suggest that the Steelers hope Wilson can be their starter for the next few years, with Fields potentially taking over in the future. However, this plan will require significantly more financial investment than the current contracts for both quarterbacks.
Pro Football Focus journalist Trevor Sikkema looked ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft and discussed potential targets for the Steelers. He mentioned that Georgia star quarterback Carson Beck could be a player to watch for Pittsburgh, indicating the team's possible interest in strengthening their quarterback position further.
“Russell Wilson’s and Justin Fields' contracts expire after the 2024 season, and while the Steelers will be hoping one shows enough to secure the long-term starting quarterback job, that would be a surprise.”
Sikkema highlights that both Fields and Wilson will see their contracts expire after the 2024 season. This could lead Pittsburgh to consider moving on from both quarterbacks and investing in a new one through the NFL Draft. Sikkema believes that Beck would be a logical choice for Pittsburgh.
“Beck was one of the more impressive quarterbacks in college football by the end of 2023. His arm talent, ball placement and pocket presence give him NFL starter potential. He will enter the year as many analysts' QB1.”
The idea that Pittsburgh would be interested in Beck is a long shot. Beck is expected to be the top prospect in the upcoming draft class, meaning the Steelers would need to make significant moves to draft him early.
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Georgia star quarterback Carson Beck throwing the football during a game.
He is highly sought after, with some projections placing him as the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Steelers' Quarterback Situation Will Become More Complex After The 2024 Season
If the Steelers choose to pursue a quarterback in the draft rather than negotiating long-term deals with Fields and Wilson, they would likely need to execute a major trade to secure a spot high enough to select Beck. This scenario seems less likely, as it would mean giving up on both Wilson and Fields after just one season. The more plausible outcome is that the Steelers will work to secure cost-effective deals with both quarterbacks after the season.
Beck is an exciting prospect, standing at 6'4" and 220 pounds, and leading one of the best teams in college football. Many pundits believe he is the best quarterback prospect in the 2025 draft class and has the potential to become an NFL star. If the Steelers were to take the risk and trade up for Beck, it would undoubtedly be an interesting and exciting move.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields talk during OTAs.
However, many fans would prefer to see Pittsburgh retain Wilson or Fields. Both quarterbacks have potential, with Fields offering long-term promise due to his youth. The Steelers seem to view Wilson as the quarterback to help the team win now, with Fields as the future option. It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh handles the contracts and potential negotiations with their current quarterbacks.
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