The Pittsburgh Steelers were fortunate to have two capable quarterbacks in the 2024 season in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Of course, both were very cheap, as Fields was still on his rookie deal, and the Denver Broncos were paying the majority of Wilson's insanely high contract. The Steelers were paying Wilson the veteran minimum, but they won't have that luxury if they want Wilson, Fields, or both back for the 2025 season. It's going to be very interesting to see how the Steelers' front office approaches the quarterback situation.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields talk while they get warmed up for camp.
With the 2024 season coming to a close, the Steelers are facing a major decision regarding their quarterbacks. While Wilson and Fields have both shown flashes of potential, their future contracts could pose significant financial challenges. The team has seen highs and lows with both quarterbacks at different points, but their affordability in 2024 was largely due to unique circumstances. That advantage will not last long, and the Steelers will need to make some hard choices in the coming months.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly suggested that the organization may pit Wilson against Fields in an effort to get the best value and bring that price down. By leveraging competition between the two quarterbacks, the Steelers could push both to prove their worth while keeping costs manageable. This approach could allow the team to maintain flexibility in its budget while also ensuring that the quarterback position is in capable hands heading into the 2025 season.
"One thing the Steelers could do to drive QB price down and push them to sign before free agency is pit Russ against Fields. Say, hey, take it or leave it," Kaboly said. "We have another option in the building."
Fields wasn’t initially named the starter, but a calf injury that sidelined Wilson for the first six games forced Fields into action. During those six starts, Fields went 4-2 and changed the narrative surrounding him.
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Steelers' Justin Fields and Calvin Austin III celebrate after a touchdown.
He showed flashes of potential, and many Steelers fans were disappointed to see him benched in favor of Wilson once he was healthy.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Was Up And Down In 2024
Wilson took over and, at first, seemed to be the spark the Steelers needed. With Wilson as the starter, the Steelers were 10-3 and riding high. But then came the five straight losses, and the narrative around Wilson shifted dramatically. It’s clear that Mike Tomlin has a deep respect for both quarterbacks, especially Wilson’s leadership, but the way Wilson finished the season—while not entirely his fault—brought back memories of why the Broncos were willing to pay nearly $40 million to move on from him.
Wilson is only getting older, while Fields is more than a decade younger. The future looks much brighter with Fields, but some still argue that Wilson might be the better option for now. Others believe the Steelers' future quarterback isn’t even in the building yet. The team is in a tough spot, as neither Wilson nor Fields may ultimately be the answer.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson makes a throw against the Bengals in Week 18 of the 2024 regular season.
It will be fascinating to see how the Steelers approach the quarterback position in the 2025 offseason. According to Kaboly, they do have some leverage that could help them secure their ideal price. Wilson was just over $1 million in cost for the 2024 season and fans still weren't happy with the result. Giving him more money than that wouldn't be a popular decision for fans.
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