Steelers' Russell Wilson And Justin Fields Get Truthful Update On The Future From Art Rooney II

The Pittsburgh Steelers' future at the quarterback position is a huge debate. It’s set to steal headlines all offseason, with many fans eager to discover which direction the Steelers will take at quarterback for the 2025 season. The decision is critical for a team aiming to regain its success, and eyes are on the front office as they look to build around the right signal-caller.

Of course, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both showed promising moments in 2024, but neither one solidified themselves as the guaranteed starter for 2025. Wilson flashed his veteran leadership, while Fields demonstrated flashes of his dynamic playmaking ability. Yet, with neither quarterback fully clinching the role, questions remain about who will ultimately lead the offense in the coming seasons.

With big decisions looming, Team President Art Rooney II sat down for an interview to share more insight into the future of the quarterback position. Rooney got candid about the future of Wilson and Fields, acknowledging both players' potential but also stressing that the Steelers’ long-term vision would play a crucial role in deciding who stays at the helm. The decision is far from simple, and Rooney’s comments only fuel the ongoing debate.

"My preference would be to sign one of those quarterbacks, Russell Wilson or Justin Fields," Rooney said. "Obviously, we will be looking in the draft as well either this year or next. That (quarterback position) has to be the priority."

There has also been speculation that the Steelers might target a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, this isn’t a popular option among most Steelers fans, who are well aware that the 2025 draft class is considered weak at the quarterback position. With the 2026 draft class expected to be much stronger, many fans are advocating for the Steelers to wait and see if they can land a potential franchise quarterback then.

At 36 years old and coming off five straight losses, Wilson's future with the team is under serious scrutiny. For many Steelers fans, it's enough to make them eager to move on. Yet, a small group of fans still supports the idea of bringing Wilson back, offering him a contract worth $20-30 million per year. 

These fans argue that Wilson's play was the best quarterback performance the team has seen in years. While they might be right, it's important to remember that the bar has been set quite low, making it questionable whether sticking with Wilson is the best path forward. It's never typically a good spot to be in when the franchise is giving big money to an expired quarterback. That's how most fans view Wilson currently.

Steelers Would Be Wise To Move Forward With Justin Fields

The other side of this debate is the undeniable raw potential that Fields possesses. He showcased glimpses of that talent during his limited opportunities with the Steelers in 2024, and it’s been evident throughout his four seasons in the NFL. 

The issue with Fields, however, is that for every jaw-dropping play he makes, there’s an equally perplexing one. While many pundits aren’t ready to give up on him, there are concerns that his instincts may not be refined enough to thrive as an NFL quarterback.

Among Steelers fans, the popular sentiment seems to be offering Fields a two-year, team-friendly deal to prove himself. If he struggles, the Steelers will know he’s not the answer, but if he succeeds, they could have found their franchise quarterback. 

At just 25 years old, Fields offers a much more exciting long-term future. From the sounds of it, Rooney believes only one of these quarterbacks will be back in 2025, and now Steelers fans will be watching closely to see who that will be.

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