The Pittsburgh Steelers right now have a really good problem on their hands. Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith find themselves with two capable quarterbacks at their disposal. Russell Wilson was initially set to be the starter, but Justin Fields impressed when Wilson went down with injury, filling in admirably. Now, with Wilson back leading the offense, it’s clear that he has regained his spot as the starter and appears poised to keep it in 2024.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson talks to Justin Fields during a game.
While both quarterbacks have cost the Steelers very little up to this point, that will change after the 2024 season. The team is facing the challenge of how to allocate their funds, deciding which quarterback will get a long-term deal. Wilson has been effective since returning, but the Steelers must weigh the financial risk of extending a soon to be 36 year old quarterback. Fields played will with the extra opportunity he was given but insiders think that might make him attractive to other teams in need of a quarterback.
Steelers insider Gerry Dulac has been adamant about the team’s plans moving forward. He is confident the Steelers will part ways with Fields and extend Wilson, sticking to the plan set in place at the start of the year. The decision will ultimately shape the direction of the Steelers' offense, and it seems clear that Wilson is their guy for the long haul. At least according to Dulac. He was asked which quarterback the Steelers want to sign to a long term deal after the 2024 season.
"Right now, that should be obvious," Dulac said. "And I will repeat for the 100th time what I was told before the season: Both Wilson and the Steelers intend to sign a new contract after the season."
This is a tough decision and one that will likely spark differing opinions among the fan base. For starters, Fields is 25 years old and showed promise as the future when he stepped in for Wilson. While Fields wasn't perfect, he was somewhat limited by the coaching staff's conservative approach, aiming to avoid costly mistakes. Though he has areas to improve, his long-term potential far exceeds Wilson's.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson drops back to pass during a Sunday Night Football game against the New York Jets.
Considering Wilson's age, if the reports from Dulac are accurate, the Steelers want to work out a deal to keep him in Pittsburgh after this season. However, with Wilson turning 36 in November, fans are left wondering how much longer he can perform at a high level.
His struggles with the Denver Broncos have only added to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Steelers Seem Likely To Move On From Justin Fields After 2024
He’s looked impressive in his first two games with the Steelers. The offense has clicked better than it has in a long time, and there’s newfound optimism about Wilson leading the unit. The concern, however, is that if the Steelers sign Wilson to a large contract, they may not want to pay Fields a hefty sum to sit on the bench.
It wouldn’t make sense to keep both quarterbacks, especially with other positional needs. While the Steelers have always valued a strong backup, Fields’ market value would likely be too high to justify keeping both players.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields running with the football during a practice.
After the 2024 season, the Steelers face a critical decision. It seems they’re already planning to bring Wilson back, which raises significant questions about Fields’ future in Pittsburgh. The stakes are high, and fans will be eager to see how it all unfolds.
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